Lewis Allan "Lew" Becks

Lew BecksLewis “Lew” Allan Becks, 70, passed on to be present with his Lord and Savior on January 11, 2014, after a 2-year battle with cancer. He will always be remembered as a beloved husband, father, brother, friend and teacher; life-long learner; Torah scholar and enthusiast; and avid gardener, fisherman and hunter.

Lew was born on April 27, 1943, to William and Lillian Becks and spent most of his early years in Munising, MI. After graduating from Wm. G. Mather High School, he went on to study at Michigan Technological University and received advanced degrees from Indiana University and Michigan State University. As a member of the U.S. Air Force, Lewis toured Turkey and most of Europe. He married his wife, Arlene (Maki) Becks, on April 27, 1974. He worked for the Lansing School District for 28 years and finally retired in June 2002. During his time working for the School District, he served as a math teacher, guidance counselor and coach at Dwight Rich Middle School, Everett High School and Eastern High School.

Throughout his life, Lew enjoyed reading, hockey, gardening, building relationships, and helping neighbors, friends and students. Those close to him might say that he was obsessed with good deals and using coupons and joke that he would drive five miles just to save five cents. Lew was also passionate about studying the Torah and bridging the gap between Judaism and Christianity. For many years, he supported the ongoing work of Lion and Lamb Ministries in Norman, OK.  Lew is survived by his wife Arlene; daughter Tanya, also of Lansing, MI; son Jonathan of Chicago, IL; brother Jim (Judy) of Munising, MI; and sister Sandy (Geno) Wachter of Marquette, MI. He is also survived by several loving nieces, nephews and in-laws.

At Lew’s request, a special memorial service later in spring around his birthday will be held in lieu of an open internment or funeral service. Instead of flowers, please make contributions to Eaton County Palliative Care, the Greater Lansing Food Bank or the Lansing City Rescue Mission. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.EstesLeadley.com.

 

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11 Messages to “Lewis Allan "Lew" Becks

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Mary and David Brocklebank
January 13, 2014 at 7:58 pm

Lew was a wonderful friend and neighbor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our deepest sympathy to Arlene, Tanya and Jonathan.

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Mary Fox
January 14, 2014 at 7:39 am

God rest a wonderful man. I remember Lew as “Mr. Becks” the math teacher from Dwight Rich, and later as “Lew” when he came to Dr. Gallagher’s office. He was a great conversationalist (which is hard to do when someone has their hands in your mouth!) and he always brought a chuckle to an otherwise routine day.
My deepest sympathies are with you Tanya, Arlene and Jonathan.
Mary Fox

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Joe and Margie Rausch
January 14, 2014 at 4:48 pm

Lew and Arlene were the first to greet my wife and I when we started attending Living Word church. As I was a new believer, Lew was very informative and helpful as we had many bible studies at his house. He now sees God as He is. Our prayers are with you Arlene, Tonya and Jonathan.

.

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Douglas Cole
January 14, 2014 at 8:56 pm

God Bless You Mr. Becks. My prayers to the Becks family. Mr. Becks was my eighth grade advanced math teacher at Dwight Rich in the fall of 1983. His patience and encouragement crunching numbers showed me the way so long ago. He was my favorite teacher. I recall pointing out the exact minute of the 20th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination. Mr. Becks put down his overhead pencil, turned the overhead projector off, and with tears in his eyes asked a bunch of 13/14 yr olds to observe a moment of silence, . I have and will not ever forget that. Years later we crossed paths at Goodrich’s where I work. I let him know how he touched my life. He seemed so happy in retirement. He now waits in heaven, pen in pocket, that grin on his face, chewing that wad of gum. Godspeed.

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DEAR ARLENE & FAMILY
January 15, 2014 at 8:32 am

FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!
YOUR FAMILY HAS CARED SO TENDERLY FOR OUR CHILDREN …WE ARE EVER SO BLESSED !

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE HAD THE “TACTICAL” BIBLE TRAINING OF WHICH LEW IS SO TALENTED AND PROFESSIONAL; YET LOVING AS A TRUE “TEACHER !”

AS A YOOPER HE HAS “SISU”; AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS/ MESSIAH HE HAS PASSION AND HIS SCHOLARSHIP OF THE BIBLE IS ALWAYS IN TACT AND MORE ALIVE THAN ANY WE’VE EVER BEEN INVOLVED WITH !

AS WE SAT AND SPOKE WITH HIM RECENTLY HE WAS CLEARLY SHARING THAT IT ALL COMES BACK TO THE BOOK OF JOHN , BOOK OF MATHEW AND AS HE FELL BACK ASLEEP HE WAS WISPERING JOHN 3:16 ! OUR LAST CONVERSATION UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN !

WE REALLY LOVE THE BECK FAMILY AND APPRECIATE THE WARMTH THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN EVIDENT WHEN ENTERING YOUR HOME !
IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO – WHO DO YOU LOVE, WHO LOVES YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR GODS SAKE !

THEIR IS A MOVIE WHICH IS TO BE RELEASED THIS SPRING ENTITLED “HEAVEN IS FOR REAL” ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEE IT AS LEWIS HELPED EVERYONE REALIZE IN THIS VERY VERY SKEPTICAL SECULAR CULTURE THAT “HEAVEN IS FOR REAL.”

PHILIP & NANCY & ABIGAIL EUNICE & PHILIP JR. &
NANCYLEE GRACE BAREHAM

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Bess Holloway
January 16, 2014 at 10:50 am

To Lew’s Family–

I was a classmate in Munising. That was a very long time ago, so exact memories are hard to recapture. I did tell Lew in a letter last year that I recall him in around 8th grade as a good math student who sat across from me. He always had a bright smile. I see my memory was accurate, since he turned out to be a math teacher!

He led a wonderful life. You are blessed with your memories of a very special person.

Sincerely,

Bess Holloway
Boulder, Colorado

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/Blanche Deibert-Brown
January 16, 2014 at 1:26 pm

For all of Lew’s family in Lansing, Chicago, Munising and Marquette, I am a classmate from Mather High School 1961. We lost touch over the years, but after running into his sister Sandy last year, many of us were able to re-connect and send our prayers and letters of support. I shall continue to sincerely pray for strength and happy memories for all of you.

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Pam Wachter Denton
January 16, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Aunt Sandy, Uncle Geno & Family

So sorry to read of the passing of your brother, my dad always spoke highly of him. Extending deep & heartfelt sympathy to all your family. May he rest in peace.
Pam, Bob & Ana

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Rosemary Renaud
January 16, 2014 at 4:48 pm

My prayers and thoughts are with Lew’s family. I was a new classmate at Mather in my senior year and remembered how Lew made me feel like I had been a classmate for many years with his infectious smile and warm personality. He will be truly missed, but the memories will be forever. Rest in Peace Lew.

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Stephanie Bey
February 7, 2014 at 7:51 pm

To Arlene, Tanya and John

I can scarcely express the depth of loss that I personally feel with the passing of such an excellent human being. Lew’s excellence in all that he did from fishing, hunting, teaching, gardening and in service to his community consistently demonstrated unbiased and non-prejudiced care and concern whatever the circumstance. I am caught off guard, I wanted more time -yet I understand that a man like Lew could not leave this planet unless he was called forward by a higher power for a greater task. I pray that there will be joy in your lives again.

Stephanie Bey and Family

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Jamie Wheelock
January 7, 2016 at 5:02 pm

I took a math test for the State of Michigan a couple weeks ago that was 175 questions without a calculator. I thanked Mr. Beck over and over those 2 hours for having the patience to help me many years ago! I was hoping to thank him and am saddened to see he passed away. Thank you Mr. Beck!

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