Leonard Richard Beck

Leonard Richard Beck, 86, of Newtown Square, PA, formerly of Havertown, died on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

He was the son of the late Leonard K. and Ethel V. (nee Obold) Beck, and half-brother to the late Elisabeth Matzenbacher.

He is survived by his wife: Mary Frances Beck (nee Lotz); his sons: Richard A. (Robert B. Sher) Beck, James M. Beck, and Robert D. Beck; grandchildren: Megan C. Beck, Emma C. Beck, Connor R. Beck, and Wyatt O. Beck; and siblings: John M. (Phyllis) Beck and Susan C. (Jack Eicherly) MacDonald.

Mr. Beck, a graduate of Drexel University, started at the USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS) as a Drexel civil engineering cooperative student, advancing to the role of Section Chief during many years of employment.  Mr. Beck met his future wife Mary when she too worked at SCS as a Drexel engineering cooperative student; they were married for over 61 years.

While employed at SCS and later at private engineering firms, Mr. Beck’s work took him throughout the northeastern areas of the country where he met many professionals who became life- long friends, many sharing his interests in railroads and Temple University sports.

In early retirement Mr. Beck worked as a sexton at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Havertown, the church he and his wife attended for 40 years until it closed.  Later they attended St. James United Church of Christ in Havertown where Mr. Beck helped with the foodbank.  Mr. Beck also volunteered for many years, starting with track work and locomotive repair, at the Wilmington & Western Railroad, and later received certification as a trainman.  During retirement Mr. Beck and his wife made frequent trips, often by train, visiting relatives in Chicago, Houston, California, and Europe.

Mr. Beck was the only one in his family who did not attend Temple University but inherited his passion for Temple sports.  He frequently traveled to away football games with family and friends.

Leonard R. Beck, you will be missed, loved, and remembered fondly.

Visitation: Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 10:00-10:45 am, at St. James United Church of Christ, located at 135 Myrtle Avenue, Havertown, PA 19083.

Funeral Service: Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 11:00 am, at St. James United Church of Christ.

Burial: Private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wilmington & Western Railroad, part of the Historic Red Clay Valley, Inc., PO Box 5787, Wilmington, DE 19808 or St. James UCC, Food Bank Program, 135 Myrtle Avenue, Havertown, PA 19083.