Richard "Dick" Blair Beckman

Richard Blair Beckman, loving father, grandfather, and uncle, passed away on September 14, 2025 at the age of 93. He will be remembered most for the love and devotion he has shown to his family. He was born in Duluth to Russell and Elizabeth (Blair) Beckman.

Richard “Dick” Beckman, graduated cum laude from UMD in 1955 as one of the first two students to graduate with a degree in geology. Richard participated in ROTC all through college and then went into active duty in the Air Force in 1956. He married Patricia Richards in 1958 and they resided in San Antonio, Texas where he was a flight instructor at Lackland Air Force Base. Upon completion of his duty, they moved to Duluth where Richard took over the family furniture business, Beck’s Furniture. Along with his responsibilities as president of Beck’s, he was also a pilot with the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron with the Air National Guard. The years flying with the Air National Guard brought him great joy and many dear friends. He retired from the Guard as Lieutenant Colonel in 1992.

His love of life and adventure brought him great joy in this world. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, and anything outdoors. He also had a great love for God’s creatures; especially dogs. He loved, and needed, to always have a hunting dog, and as one got older he’d get another and start training them in. The fall was his favorite time of year and he would plan his hunting trips well in advance. His favorite hunting spot was The Pas, in northern Manitoba. It didn’t matter where he lived, he made those trips well into his eighties. He would travel from Arizona, Oklahoma and North Carolina to The Pas.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Elizabeth (Blair) Beckman, wife Patricia Richards, wife Margaret Bengel, and sister Patricia (Beckman) Spearin. 

Richard is survived by his children, Ricky Beckman, Pam Beckman Hauglid, Kurt Beckman; grandchildren, Christopher Hauglid, Laura Feldt (Trent), Summer Beckman, Roman Beckman, Melody Beckman, nephew Scott Spearin (Karen) and niece Cynthia Backlund (Dennis). Additionally, Richard is survived by Margaret’s children Sharon Warren (Sid), Jeffrey Fulgham (Gail) and Cele Schaffer (Larry).

A Celebration of Life is planned at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 9th at Dare’s Funeral Home in Elk River. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to:
Bengel Wildlife Center
6380 Drumheller Rd
Bath Township, MI 48808

St. Jude Children’s Research
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105