Beck, Dr. Robert F. (1885-1938)

BECK, ARTHUR, COVIL, OGDEN, VEDDER, CUMMINGS, HALMOS

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 10/28/2016 at 10:32:24

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Saturday, December 3, 1938

Dr. R.F. Beck Found Dead in Office

SERVICES FOR DENTIST WILL BE TOMORROW

Death of Prominent Resident Caused by Cerebral Hemorrhage.

WAS 52 YEARS OLD

Recovering From Attack of Influenza; Found by Friend.

Dr. Robert F. Beck, 52, prominent dentist and long time resident here, was found dead in his apartment, 608-1/2 Second street, last evening. Death was caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.

The doctor's body was found by a friend, who called there about 6:30 o'clock. It was believed death occurred only a short time before.

Dr. Beck had visited his sister, Mrs. Minnie Arthur, who is ill, between 4 and 5 o'clock. Returning to his apartment, it is thought he had lain down on the davenport to rest and was stricken while asleep.

He had not been feeling well since two weeks ago when he had suffered an attack of influenza.

Funeral services will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Foster funeral home with Dr. Ira J. Houston, pastor of the Congregational church, officiating. The body will be taken to Des Moines for cremation and burial will be made in Graceland cemetery.

Robert F. Beck was born in Geneseo, Ill., Dec. 22, 1885, his parents being Antone and Margaret Beck. Robert came to Webster City with his father in 1895, shortly after the death of his mother.

He attended the Webster City schools and later went to Highland Park college, Des Moines, where he completed a course in pharmacy. Returning to Webster City, he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, H.J. Arthur, in a drugstore corner of Willson avenue and Second street, under the firm name of Arthur & Beck.

Mr. Arthur died in 1909 and Mr. Beck continued the business for a short time, later selling it to Jake Schroeder, who, in turn, sold it to Fisher & Boylan, who now own the store.

In 1910, Robert Beck went to Iowa City where he took a course in dentistry at the state university. In 1913, he returned to Webster City and began practicing his profession.

June 9, 1915 he was married to Miss Helen Covil, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Covil, pioneer residents of Webster City. Mrs. Beck died March 6, 1924.

Dr. Beck continued his residence at the Covil home, 1514 Willson avenue, until after the death of Mrs. Covil, April 30, 1932, when he moved into a downtown apartment.

Dr. Beck leaves two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Arthur, of this city, and Mrs. J.O. Ogden, of Geneseo, Ill. There are also two nephews and two nieces, Herbert Arthur of Ames; Mrs. Dorothy Vedder and Raymond Cummings of North Platte, Neb., and Mrs. Elizabeth Halmos, of Salt Lake City, Utah. There are five grand nieces and nephews.

During his long residence in Webster City Dr. Beck took an active part in civic affairs. He was a member of the Kendall Young library board of trustees and was a director of the old First National bank here.

He was a member of the Elks club and at one time was active in Masonic circles here. He was also a member of the Congregational church for many years.