1916
Roger
2013
Roger Beckman
February 15, 1916 — May 28, 2013
Roger L. Beckman, age 97 years formerly of Lewis Drive in Niles, Michigan died at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday May 28, 2013 at West Woods of Niles of natural causes.
He was born on February 15, 1916 in Michigan City, Indiana to August Henry and Anna C. (Jensen) Beckman. As a young man he began his career in Michigan City on the Michigan Central railroad. He served in the United States Army during World War II, and was assigned to military railroads in southwest Asia with the 791st Operating Battalion. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant, and a veteran of World War II. He followed the New York Central railroad, moving to Niles and buying the third house in Oak Manor. He was proud to serve on Amtrak’s inaugural on May 1, 1971. In 1978 he retired from the Penn Central railroad after forty-two years of service. His career uniquely spanned the transition from exclusively steam power locomotives to exclusively diesel power locomotives, both civilian and military railroad service, both freight and passenger service, and from private passenger service to Amtrak.
Roger was a member of the Military Railroad Service Veterans Association and enjoyed attending annual reunions. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles and the Loyal Order of Moose #449 in Buchanan, Michigan. He also enjoyed golfing, often at Brookwood Golf Course in Buchanan, and had recorded a hole-in-one at the University of Notre Dame golf course. He was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks. During their younger years, he and his wife were talented dancers.
On September 5, 1942 in Alexandria, Louisiana he married the former Miriam L. Klute whom he had met nine days earlier. They celebrated the fifty-forth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on April 23, 1997. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, John E. Beckman and Wallace E. Beckman.
Surviving family includes their children, Marianna (& Cliff) Copeland of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Marabeth (& Orlan) Ketrow of Tipp City, Ohio, Sarajane (& Larry) Pickles and William (& Doris) Beckman, both of Niles; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
The family of Roger L. Beckman will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Full Military Honors for Mr. Beckman will be offered at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday on the lawn of the funeral home by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.
Contributions in memory of Roger Beckman may be made to Hospice at Home.
He was born on February 15, 1916 in Michigan City, Indiana to August Henry and Anna C. (Jensen) Beckman. As a young man he began his career in Michigan City on the Michigan Central railroad. He served in the United States Army during World War II, and was assigned to military railroads in southwest Asia with the 791st Operating Battalion. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant, and a veteran of World War II. He followed the New York Central railroad, moving to Niles and buying the third house in Oak Manor. He was proud to serve on Amtrak’s inaugural on May 1, 1971. In 1978 he retired from the Penn Central railroad after forty-two years of service. His career uniquely spanned the transition from exclusively steam power locomotives to exclusively diesel power locomotives, both civilian and military railroad service, both freight and passenger service, and from private passenger service to Amtrak.
Roger was a member of the Military Railroad Service Veterans Association and enjoyed attending annual reunions. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles and the Loyal Order of Moose #449 in Buchanan, Michigan. He also enjoyed golfing, often at Brookwood Golf Course in Buchanan, and had recorded a hole-in-one at the University of Notre Dame golf course. He was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks. During their younger years, he and his wife were talented dancers.
On September 5, 1942 in Alexandria, Louisiana he married the former Miriam L. Klute whom he had met nine days earlier. They celebrated the fifty-forth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on April 23, 1997. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, John E. Beckman and Wallace E. Beckman.
Surviving family includes their children, Marianna (& Cliff) Copeland of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Marabeth (& Orlan) Ketrow of Tipp City, Ohio, Sarajane (& Larry) Pickles and William (& Doris) Beckman, both of Niles; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
The family of Roger L. Beckman will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Full Military Honors for Mr. Beckman will be offered at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday on the lawn of the funeral home by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.
Contributions in memory of Roger Beckman may be made to Hospice at Home.
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