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Show Monday, February 13, 2006 Obituary: Joseph U. Beck Joseph U. Beck 1922,...., 2006 He had big, powerful hands that would grab your arm or your shoulder, squeeze, and then maybe hug your whole body too hard. People he liked were everywhere, and sometimes, before they really knew him, they were a little alarmed at his gregarious personality. To Joe's family of four surviving generations who now celebrate his life, this is a memory central to a remarkable husband, dad, grandpa, greatgranddad, and friend who died February 11 from cancer. Family members were with him, one holding his big left hand. Born Joseph Ulrich Hatfield at Ft. Crook, Nebraska son of Ida Marie Zbinden, Swiss immigrant, and Albert Slemmons Hatfield, U.S. Army, March 3, 1922. They moved to Bingham Canyon, where Joe lived several years before attending Jordan High School. Summers were spent working long days on his uncle's Cache Valley farm. He was employed for a short time as a Utah Copper brakeman, deciding right away to become a lawyer. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps in the South Pacific, returning to graduate from Utah State Agricultural College (USU) in political science. Then he and best friend, Marion Dunn, hitchhiked from Salt Lake to Washington, D.C. where he found a job with the U.S. Coast and Geodesic Survey and attended night classes at George Washington Law School. He later finished his studies at the University of Utah School of Law. At the age of 28 he adopted his longtime stepfather's surname (Edward Beck) and in 1950 married Dor-is June Christensen. They have four children, Dane (Susan Hawkins, Salt Lake), January (deceased 1981), Kelley (Dana Howells, Los Angeles), and Marcie (Michael Mcintosh, Salt Lake). Joe has a son from a short, previous marriage, Michael Joseph Fletcher (Suzanne Tornquist, Salt Lake), who maintains close ties with the family.lt was widely known that Joe's greatest desire in life was to raise children and participate in their lives. He adored kids and turned out to be one of the world's outstanding babysitters, entertainers, and board game players. He served as scoutmaster of his sons' troop. He and Doris have seven grandchildren, and five great-granddaughters. He taught whoever he could to play chess; and daughter, Marcie, houses tier upon tier of grandchildren's trophies from local, regional, and national chess tournaments. Joe's professional life was spent mainly with the Utah State Workers Compensation Fund, where he began as claims adjuster and retired years ago as executive manager. He is a past group chairman of the United Way, board executive of the March of Dimes, founder and chairman of the Utah State Employees Charitable Fund. He was for many years active with AASCIF and in leadership with the Disabled American Veterans (DA V). He was long active in local Democratic politics and legislative affairs. Doris has been his constant companion for 56 years. His optimism, high spirits, and big personality were dim-med only a little by failed eyesight during the past several years. Survivors include his sisters, Nathalie (Richard) Hanson, and Elaine (Dee) Swenson (both California). Brother, Albert Hatfield; and sister, Aldine Davis Morrison, preceded him in death. He will also be missed by many, many nieces and nephews. Viewing at 11 a.m., memorial service at 12 noon, Wednesday, Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy. World & Nation + Utah + Sports + Business + Opinion + Front Page © 2006 Deseret News Publishing Company |
