Dr. John Robert Beck

JOHN ROBERT BECK, M.D., 92, of Chester, Illinois, died peacefully on the evening of June 19, 2026.

John was born in Dayton, Ohio, to Leonard and Mildred Beck. He attended the University of Dayton before earning his medical degree from Marquette University School of Medicine in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While in medical school, he met his future wife, Mary Baumgartner Beck, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage.

John and Mary began their family while he served in the United States Air Force as a captain and flight surgeon. After completing his military service, he moved with his family to Chester, Illinois, where he practiced family medicine for 45 years, from 1964 until his retirement in 2009.

As a family physician, John delivered generations of babies, performed surgeries, and treated countless illnesses and injuries. Even during the final year of his life, it was not unusual for someone to approach him while he was out in Chester and say, “You delivered me—or my parent,” or, “I remember when you cared for my parents when they were ill.” These encounters reflected the lasting impact of his decades of service to the people of Chester and the surrounding community.

In recognition of his lifelong dedication to rural medicine, John received the Illinois Rural Health Association’s Physician of Excellence Award in 2006. He served several terms as chief of staff at Chester Memorial Hospital and served as chief of the medical staff at Chester Mental Health Center.

From the time he arrived in Chester until his death, John was a devoted member of the faith community at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church. He and Mary were steadfast advocates for Catholic education, sending their eight children to St. Mary’s School, Gibault Catholic High School, and various Catholic colleges and universities. John generously gave both his time and financial support to his parish and its school.

John was active in Worldwide Marriage Encounter, where he and his wife helped lead weekend retreats for married couples. Through that ministry, they strengthened the marriages of many others and formed some of their own closest and most enduring friendships.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Baumgartner Beck, and their eight children: John (Mary) Beck Jr.; Missy (Jamie) Biethman; Anne (Steve) Witting; Joe (Debbie) Beck; Danny (Ronda) Beck; Julie (Kevin) Dooley; Trish (Dan) Skaer; and David (Ronny) Beck. He is also survived by his 27 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Jim (Donna) Beck, Mary A Graham, and Mike (Lynn) Beck; his brother-in-law John (Laura) Baumgartner and his sisters-in-law Florence Beck and Mary C Beck. John was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mildred Beck, his brothers, Len Beck and Larry Beck; his sister Bertha Marie (Jack) Hilbing; his brother-in-law Louis (Joanie); his sister-in-law Nancy Baumgartner and his son-in-law Rick Mathis.

John will be remembered by his family and friends as a lifelong advocate for physical activity and good nutrition, interests he brought together through his love of gardening. He remained active throughout his life and continued to enjoy water sports and travel, while maintaining a keen interest in finance and medicine long after his retirement.

Upon retiring, John shared these words:

“I sincerely appreciate everyone and want to thank all of you. I wish I were starting instead of stopping. I am overwhelmed by your love and affection; I feel the same about you. If given the chance, I would do it all over again. It never seemed like a job, more like a social activity. Thank you for trusting me to assist you.”

Throughout his life, he exhibited extraordinary patience, calm in trying circumstances, a deep love for family and friends, and a sincere desire to learn from others. The values he instilled will live on in his children and grandchildren, as well as in the many people whose lives he touched. Even at life’s end, John remained grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the ride.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Chester. A reception will follow the Knights of Columbus Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School Endowment fund or Gibault Catholic High School.