Rev. Richard Joseph Beck, OMI, born in Victoria, Texas on March 9, 1925, died in San Antonio, Texas on February 4, 2015 at the age of 89 years. Fr. Beck graduated from St. Joseph High School in Victoria, Texas and returned later to serve as Chaplain for his alma mater. He served in the Army in World War II in the Pacific Theater. He earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston and worked for RCA for many years. Fr. Beck entered St. Peter's Novitiate on June 12, 1961 in Mission, Texas and professed vows as a member of the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on June 13, 1962. Fr. Beck completed his studies in theology at Oblate College, now Oblate School of Theology, in San Antonio. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1967 by Bishop Stephen Leven, in San Antonio.
Fr. Beck was known for his kindness, gentleness, compassion, and concern for the poor. Fr. Beck served in San Juan, Texas; at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana; and as a Prison Chaplain with Texas Department of Corrections in Richmond, Sugarland, and Huntsville. He also served as Pastor at Our Lady of the Gulf Parish in Port Lavaca, Texas and at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Eagle Pass, Texas. In addition, Fr. Beck worked in Oblate vocation promotion throughout Texas, in retreat ministry in Dickinson, Texas and in school ministry in the Diocese of Victoria, Texas. In 2006, Fr. Beck retired and moved to Oblate Madonna Residence in San Antonio, Texas, where he was actively involved in the Worldwide Marriage Encounter marriage enrichment program.
Fr. Beck was preceded in death by his parents, John L. and Mary R. (Hickey) Beck, two sisters, Genevieve Beck and Josephine Wearden, and two brothers, Lawrence and James. In addition to his Oblate family, Fr. Beck is survived by his nieces and nephews and numerous friends. Fr. Beck will be remembered with respect and esteem by his Oblate brothers and all the people who were recipients of his pastoral care.