Lawrence “Larry” Beck, 90, of Harbor Springs, MI, formerly of Darien, IL, and Stuart, FL, went home to his Lord surrounded by family on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Perry Farm Village, Harbor Springs, MI, following a brief illness. He was born February 23, 1928, the son of James, Sr. and Astrid Beck, in Chicago, IL. He grew up in Chicago and was a graduate of Hirsch High School.
He served his country in the United States Army Air Force during 1945 and 1946. His interests were wide and varied, though he was particularly interested in his faith, his family, music, history, service to community, motorcycles, horses, golf, college sports, and education. He was taking courses at North Central Michigan College at the time of his death.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs. Mr. Beck married Nancy Glennie Beck on October 1, 1955, in Chicago, IL. They raised three children in the Chicago area.
Mr. Beck started his vocation as a professional truck driver in 1946. He then founded Atlas Disposal in 1953, and went on to cofound Waste Management in 1971. Larry was instrumental in the development of Blockbuster Video, Boston Market, Einstein Bagels, Burnham Broadcasting, Birchwood Construction and L & N Properties.
He was owner of Lorenzo’s Restaurant on M119. He served his communities in the South Chicago Suburban Chamber of Commerce – President; South Suburban Waste Management Association – Board President; Alma College – Alma, MI. – Board Chairman; Monmouth College – Monmouth, IL Board Member; and McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, Petoskey, MI Board Member.
Mr. Beck received the following recognitions/awards: Waste Industry Hall of Fame – Washington, D. C.; Honorary Doctor of Law Degree – from Alma College and Monmouth College; and Outstanding Citizen of the Year Harbor Springs, MI, an honor he shared with his wife. In “retirement,” Larry never met an old farm he didn’t want to renovate. He was often seen driving his team of Percheron in the Harbor Springs Fourth of July parade, which was his favorite holiday.
He was proud of Harbor Springs, his adopted town, and enjoyed his many opportunities to participate in numerous civic endeavors. In addition to his wife Nancy of 62 years, he is survived by his daughter Holly (Mark) Riordan and sons Scott (Theresa) Beck and Thomas (Susan) Beck; grandchildren Brian (Amy) Riordan, Caitlin (Chad) Graff, Gavin (Chenelle) Riordan, Maura Riordan, Logan Beck, Hannah (Skyler) Van Ark, Rachel (Elias) Lehnert, Emma Beck, Charles (Amy) Finley, and Nikki Finley; greatgrandchildren Dyllin Wood, Madelyn and Elizabeth Finley, and Leola Graff; sister Betty Hansen; brotherinlaw Edward Johnson; numerous nieces and nephews; his beloved dog Buddy; and numerous friends whom he considered family. He was preceded in death by his parents, James, Sr. and Astrid Beck; his inlaws Arthur and Harriet Glennie; brother James Beck, Jr.; sisters Agnes DeLaurent, Myrna Kilborn, and Margaret Johnson; sisterinlaw Barbara Beck; brotherinlaws Laurice DeLaurent, James Kilborn, and Rev.
Robert Hansen; nephews Kermit DeLaurent, Craig Johnson, and Paul Beck; and greatgrandson Thomas James Teal. Visitation for Mr. Beck will be Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 9 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs followed at 10 AM by a memorial service, officiated by Kip Murphy, Ed Warner and Tom Cook. The memorial service can also be watched live @ fpchs.org/.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Perry Farm Village, Hospice of Northwest Michigan, and Ed Warner for their love and support of Larry. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be directed to We Grow Dreams, wegrowdreams.org. , an organization that Larry & Nancy supported for years.
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