Donald R. Beck

Donald Richardson Beck passed away at home on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Greer, South Carolina. He was 82 years old.

Don was born in Patterson, New Jersey in 1940 to Richard and Eleanor Beck. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dickenson University with a major in Physics. He then went to

Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where he earned a doctorate in Physics in 1968. The day before, he married Susan M. Gilbert of Allentown at Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ.

In 1980, he found a home in Houghton,

Michigan at Michigan Technological University. Much of his work at Tech centered on computational atomic physics applied to transition and rare-earth metal ions. He was passionate and persistent about his research. In 2001, he was named a fellow of the American Physical Society in recognition of his seminal work on relativistic correlation methodologies in

electronic structure theory. He published over 150 scientific papers over the years. His funding came from many sources, perhaps most notably for his ongoing work on Lanthanide ions which received continuous NSF funding for over 30 years.

Don loved the Upper Peninsula of Michigan— particularly South Range. He served on the Village Council for thirty-three years, and always thought that the council was a wonderful balance of people who truly cared for their community. He loved his wonderful neighbors there.

Don is survived by his wife, Susan, love and friend of 54 years; his greatly valued son, Richard (Esther); his three wonderful grandchildren: Skyler, Mason, and Mia; also, by his sister, Marylin “Lin” A. Beck (Bill Pardee) of Westport Point, Massachusetts; as well as his cousin,

Janet Arnold of New York City; niece, Katharine ”Katie” Barbee (John Eric), niece, Caroline ”Carrie” Klute, of Cascade Locks, Oregon, and niece, Laura Cahoon (Brendon); brother-in-law, R. William “Bill” Gilbert of Bethlehem, PA. He is preceded in death by his sister Virginia “Ginny” Kluthe, his brother, Stephen “Steve” Beck, and his parents, Richard, and Eleanor.

A ZOOM memorial service is planned for the near future.

To share remembrances, visit https://www. dignitymemorial.com/ In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Michigan Tech Fund, to Grace Lutheran Church, South Range, MI, or to

a charity of your choice.

Please sign Guest Book on www.themorningcall.com/obits