Gary L. Beck, May 21, 1942 - June 15, 2015

by Wendy Carlton & Al Hansen

We have lost a climbing partner, a mentor, a friend who made us laugh, and who brought out the best in us.  Gary Beck moved on the next big adventure on June 15, 2015.

Gary Beck on the summit of Mt. Hood in the early '70s.

We attended Gary’s memorial service and were left with a sense of awe of this dear man who we knew as a climbing partner and dear friend, but he was so much more in his life.  He was a renowned climber, a wonderful, caring teacher, a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, a musician, an expert in his chosen profession, a life-long learner, an adventurer in the best sense of the word!

Gary joined the Mazamas in 1969.  He was a climb leader for 35 years -- from 1976 to 2011!  He taught countless basic school groups.  He led many climbs, and outings around the world.  He received the Guardian Peaks award in 1970, Oregon Cascades Award in 1972, and the 16 Peaks award in 1974. He served two terms on the Mazama Executive Council and was President in 2005.

Gary rapelling the Golden Cathedral. He described
this as one of his favorite moments.

After summiting virtually every peak worth climbing in the Northwest, Gary turned his attention to other adventures. But he couldn’t get climbing out of his blood, so he “summited” two of the hardest bicycle rides in the world, L’ Alpe d’Huez and Mont Ventoux in France. He rode 7 Cycle Oregon’s and completed week long rides in Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming. In addition, he rode the entire White Rim road in Canyonlands National Park on a mountain bike!  After climbing “up” for most of his life he discovered climbing “lower” was fun too. He took up canyoneering and made numerous trips to Southern Utah exploring slot canyons. His favorite included a rappel through the famous Golden Cathedral in Neon Canyon. Gary also rafted the Grand Canyon and enjoyed skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and backpacking.

When Gary wasn't off on an adventure, he enjoyed keeping his yard in picture perfect form, singing with Festival Chorale Oregon, working with the Institute of Continued Learning at Willamette University, attending music concerts and spending time with his family and friends.
And he did it all with humor, a bit of irreverence and a complete lack of pretense.  Gary leaves behind a legacy of climb leaders, and many, many more who love to climb and travel because they learned from the best.  Gary’s zeal for life inspires us to fully live our lives fully -- to do all those things on our bucket list!  The following quote describes Gary’s life perfectly!

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, scotch in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”

Rick Posekany | May 2, 1952 - June 2, 2015

Rick Posekany on Mt. Jefferson. Photo: Karin Mullendorf

Richard Leo Posekany, Jr. (Rick) was born to Richard and Patricia Whalen Posekany in Coos Bay, OR on May 2, 1953. He attended Elkton and Mill City Elementary Schools, graduating from Santiam High School as Valedictorian in 1971. While at the University of Oregon, he joined Sigma Chi Fraternity. He later studied forestry at the Chemeketa Community College.

Rick was a forester for Frank Lumber Company, Freres Lumber Company, and the US Forest Service. He lived and worked at the Detroit Ranger Station, was very active in the Santiam Canyon community, and served on the school board for over ten years.

A lifetime Hoodoo downhill skier, Rick has been a part of the Santiam Pass Ski Patrol since 1975. In 1983, he received his National Ski Patrol appointment. He was an instructor with the SPSP, earning the Oregon Outstanding Mountaineering Instructor Award and the Pacific NW Outstanding Mountaineering Instructor Award.

"Posey" fell in love with mountain climbing at the age of 13 and joined the Mazamas in 1973. During the years 1980-2011 as a Mazama leader, he lead 59 climbs and received the Guardian Peak and the Seven Oregon Summits Awards. The peaks of the Cascades were Rick's playgrounds. Always in search of greater challenges, Rick has summitted the peaks of Kilimanjaro, Denali, and Aconcagua. He returned several times as guide of his own enterprise, “Santiam Alpine Guides.”

Rick Posekany was preceded in death by his father, Richard Sr., earlier this year.

Rick is survived by his mother Patricia, step mother Phyllis, daughters Carri and Shauna, son Scott, grandchildren Ethan, Shaylee, Paige and Olivia, sisters Kim and Jean, brother Robert, step brothers Thom, Bob and Larry, nephews Graham, Daniel, Patrick and Joshua, nieces Amber and Cathryn, and his trusty dog, Sam.

Posey will be remembered for his integrity, his smile, his strength and energy, his enthusiasm, his great teaching and mentoring skills, his cheerful willingness to help others, his awesome beard, and his big loving heart.

In celebration of a life very well lived, a memorial service will be held June 19, at 2 p.m. at the Santiam High School in Mill City.