Michael Robert Beck

Michael passed surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of his home in Centerville, Utah held by his loving wife. He succumbed to a rare, aggressive brain cancer.
He was born in Orange, California to Robert Walter Beck and Patricia Wynn Beck the oldest of three siblings. His family moved to Ketchum, Idaho in 1972 where he graduated from high school in Hailey. He then went to the University of Idaho where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Architecture.
Michael traveled the world and had a friendly, accepting personality. He appreciated people from all walks of life. He was a gentleman and had a tremendous strength of character. His contagious smile made him a quick friend to everyone he met.
All who knew Michael knew that he had a huge love of cars and a particular passion for BMW’s. His knowledge of vehicles was vast. He also was the ultimate handyman. There was nothing he couldn’t fix. Anything and everything in the house, garage, driveway—he could make it work.
Michael loved his career at the University of Utah in Planning, Design & Construction. He led many large, successful projects with his unflappable can-do attitude. His projects included the George Eccles Student Life Center, the Crocker Science Center, and most recently, the Ken Garff Red Zone at Rice Eccles Stadium. He enjoyed being trusted and requested by his clients who, over the years, had become his friends. Michael was a friend and mentor to all who worked beside him.
He left behind his wife, Laurie Gene (maiden Clark) and children: James (Patricia) of Des Moines, ID, Alexandra Johnson (Justin) of Galena, IL, Candra Wright (Dillon) of Roy, UT, and Rodger Colton of Centerville, UT.
His father, Robert W. Beck (Laura) of Incline Village, NV passed in 2020. His mother, Patricia W. Beck, lives in Hailey, ID. His two sisters were his dear friends: Cristianne Beck of Ketchum, ID, and Karin Gluck (Cellin) of Pacific Palisades, CA, and he was very close to his cousin Jon Spencer of Newport Beach, CA. He has five grandchildren from James and Patricia, and one due in July from Alexandra and Justin.
We invite you to join us on July 23, 2022, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., at Island View Park, 700 East 500 South, Centerville, UT, Pavilion (2nd level) for a celebration of Michael’s full life.