June 5, 1938 - July 24, 2018
Reg Beck died peacefully in Williams Lake, BC on July 24, 2018 after a brief illness. Reg, who was born on June 5th 1938 in Vernon, BC, is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan and his two daughters, Sarah (Yves) of Cape Breton and Karen (Jeff) of Calgary and his son-in-law, Paul Cranford.
He is also survived by his brother Ken, nephew Kevin, grandniece Rachel, sisters in law Jean Wellburn (Roy) and family, John (Caro) and Jane (Kurt) and Barb Ruddell (Bruce) and family, Juno (Mike), Nicky (Joel), and Adam (Stephanie). Reg had many grandnieces and grandnephews. His friends were varied and numerous.
After high school and working in Vancouver Reg took a job in the Northwest Territories with PWA operating and maintaining the weather station at Contwoyto Lake. He graduated from UBC in 1969 with a Master of Science in Physics.
In 1970 Reg and Joan began an 18 month backpacking adventure throughout the eastern hemisphere which included Japan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, the USSR, Finland, France and Britain. In 1973 Reg attended UVic where he obtained his teaching credential and in 1974 moved to Williams Lake where he began his more than 35 year career at Columneetza Senior Secondary School.
Reg was well known worldwide in the Amateur Radio Community receiving numerous awards over many years. He started a Ham Radio club at Columneetza and was instrumental in introducing computers and the computer science program at Columneetza in the early 1980s. He was also involved in the community of Williams Lake serving on the Boards of Directors for both Cariboo Lodge and the Cariboo Chilcotin Museum.
Reg engaged in numerous hobbies over the years and was always interested in collecting and displaying historical items including his Chinese collection which is now on display at the Lytton Chinese History Museum. He also became interested in water gardens, ponds and koi.
Reg was an avid reader, crossword enthusiast and a great storyteller. He delighted in meeting people and discovering what they were passionate about. His larger than life personality and his love of people endeared him to many.
Reg loved a variety of music especially Cape Breton fiddle music and the bagpipes, but his tastes also extended to various, current, popular artists. He was a frequent attendee at Celtic Colours in Cape Breton.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Cariboo Memorial Hospital and Doctors Magnuson and Brosseuk for the excellent care and attention that Reg received. At Reg's request no service will be held. Memorial tributes may be made to the Hough Memorial Cancer Society, Williams Lake, BC.
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