"Coach Beck" completed his final game on May 15, 2017, when the Almighty umpire called the last out. . . Robert Lee Beck was born June 18, 1930 in Mounds, IL. After serving in the Navy, he attended the University of West Virginia and Southern Illinois University where he received his teaching degree. He began his teaching and coaching career at Cairo High School as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach. In 1969, he moved his family to Metropolis where he continued his teaching and coaching legacy in algebra, football, baseball and basketball. He was inducted to the Illinois High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988 for his baseball successes. Coach Beck was a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross where he enjoyed the camaraderie of the adult Sunday school class and Men in Mission. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha (Mize) Beck. Coach was dad to one daughter, Marcy (David) Travis; one son, Rob (Sabrina) Beck; PaPa to Graciela Beck, Vanessa DeMarco, Victoria DeMarco (Drew) Keeling, Erica Travis (Jake) Medley, Ryan (Jennifer) Travis, and six great grandchildren, Jack Medley, Brayden, Brooklyn and Briley Travis, Valentine and Valencia Keeling. A graveside service will be held at 10 am on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Metropolis Memorial Gardens with Rev. David Deem officiating. In lieu of flowers, gifts of sympathy may be directed to Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2601 North Ave., Metropolis, IL 62960. Arrangements are entrusted to Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home in Metropolis. Online condolences may be left at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.

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