“In 1950[Bob] enlisted in the Air Force and served briefly in Korea before being accepted in the Aviation Cadet Program and commissioned as a 2nd Lt in 1953.
His Air Force career was spent flying fighter jets. During the Vietnam War, he was a Wild Weasel F-105 (THUD) Pilot, completing 146 combat missions.
In the service of his country, Lt. Col. Beck earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, and various other theater and campaign medals.
Lt. Col. Beck returned to Davis-Monthan AFB in 1969 and served until retirement on May 1, 1972.
After taking the weekend off, “Mr. Beck” took a position with Transamerica Title. In April 1978, he left Transamerica to participate in the founding of Title Guaranty Agency and would later become President and co-owner of TGA with his wife, Terri.” (1)
Source (1): https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38296540/robert-james-beck
Robert J. Beck, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on May 17, 2009.
Bob took his final flight on May 17, 2009.
Born in Viroqua, WI and raised with seven brothers and sisters in Wisconsin and Illinois.
In 1950, he enlisted in the Air Force and served briefly in Korea before being accepted in the Aviation Cadet Program and commissioned as a 2nd Lt in 1953.
His Air Force career was spent flying fighter jets. During the Vietnam War, he was a Wild Weasel F-105 (THUD) Pilot, completing 146 combat missions.
In the service of his country, Lt. Col. Beck earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, and various other theater and campaign medals.
Lt. Col. Beck returned to Davis-Monthan AFB in 1969 and served until retirement on May 1, 1972.
After taking the weekend off, “Mr. Beck” took a position with Transamerica Title. In April 1978, he left Transamerica to participate in the founding of Title Guaranty Agency and would later become President and co-owner of TGA with his wife, Terri. They sold their interest in the company in 1993 and retired for the second time.
The past 16 years have been filled with travel and family activities.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Terri; daughter, Chris and husband COL (USA/Ret) Brent Swart of Huntsville, AL; daughter, Jill and husband Steve Valentine of Chandler, AZ; stepson, Jeffrey and wife Malisa Trimble of Vail, AZ and grandsons, Rance and Austin Valentine, Shawn and Brandon Smith and beloved granddaughter, RaeAnne Trimble.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Davis Monthan AFB, Desert Dove Chapel. IMPORTANT NOTE: Persons attending without military ID please reply to xxx@xxx.xxx by Tuesday, May, 26, 2009 to be placed on guest list at gate. Allow extra time to pass security check.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or your favorite charity.
–Arizona Daily Star (May 24, 2009)
