Dale Carl “Whitey” Beck, 94, of Grantsville, MD, passed away, Saturday, September 29, 2018, in his beloved cabin with close family members by his side. Born March 16, 1924, in Coraopolis, PA, he was the son of the late William and Elizabeth (Maxwell) Beck. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Elsa (Marchione) Beck.
In 1941, at age 17, he enlisted in the Navy and was trained at the Aviation Metalsmith School in Jacksonville, FL. He served on the USS Ticonderogoa and the USS Shangri-La during World War II. His memorable experiences on the carriers included working with the flight deck crews to avoid uncontrolled aircraft, fighting fires, rescuing crash victims, de-arming and pumping bombs overboard, and witnessing Kamikaze attacks.
He was discharged March 16, 1947 and returned home to civilian life, working in the steel mills of Pittsburgh. In 1949, he became employed by the General Motors/Fisher Body Plant. In 1950, he was recalled into the Navy as a result of the Korean War, and was assigned to the Naval Air Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and was then relieved of duty after serving two years.
He then returned to the Fisher Body, Pittsburgh Plant, and retired as a tool and die designer in 1981. Whitey had many talents and hobbies. He played guitar and created beautiful paintings.
He was a fly fisherman extraordinaire and tied all his own flies, designed his own duck boats and decoys, and built his own bows and arrows for archery and hunting. He loved sharing his passion for the outdoors with anyone, young or old, who wanted to learn. He touched the lives of many.
Dale married Elsa Marchione in 1948 and was married for 55 years. After the passing of Elsa in 2004, he built a log cabin on a ridge top in Northern Garrett County to be nearer to his family. He became an active member of the community; participating in the American Legion, the Accident Band, and the McHenry United Methodist Church.
During this time, he found happiness with Mary Walcek, helping in the raising of sheep on her sheep farm. He is survived by two daughters, Dana Shimrock and husband, Thomas and grandson, Jesse Shimrock and Cher Eckley and husband, Clinton and granddaughters, Breanna and Monica Eckley. Friends will be received at the Newman Funeral Homes, P.A, 26722 Garrett Hwy.
, Accident (McHenry), MD, on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 2-7 p.m. with an opportunity for a service and sharing memories about Whitey from 6:00-7:00 p.m. A dinner will immediately follow at 7:00 p.m. at the McHenry United Methodist Church, 477 Mosser Rd. , McHenry, MD 21541. The family of Whitey, is, and will continue to be, eternally grateful for the support provided by Hospice of Garrett County.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to the Hospice of Garrett Co., P.O. Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550 or online at hospiceofgc.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at www. newmanfuneralhomes.com.
Donations may be made to: Hospice of Garrett County P. O. Box 271, Oakland MD 21550 Tel: 1-301-334-5151 Email: hospiceofgc@gmail.com Web: www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
