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!”