Robert Theodore Beckman

Robert Theodore Beckman died peacefully on May 14, 2019 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado at the age of 83. Bob is survived by his wife, Joan; children Stuart Beckman, Jacqueline Kay Quintrall, Marilee Robin Trickler, step children Jim Frost and Jolie Krause; 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and sisters, Carol Lohrman and Lavonne Childress along with 4 nephews. Bob was a Colorado native born in Julesburg to parents August and Helen Beckman. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with an Engineer of Mines degree in 1957 and a Master’s of Science degree in 1963. His marriage to Mary Schwindt in 1957 ended in divorce. In 1981 he married Joan Swinehart his wife of 37 years. Bob worked at Union Carbide in Niagara Falls, New York and in Bishop, California before settling in the Denver area working for MSHA until his retirement in 1993. His expertise in radiation and radon led to assignments in Europe and Egypt for the IAEA and OECD. Bob enjoyed carving birds from wood and often gave away his detailed realistic works of art to friends and family. He was an adventurous individual who loved traveling and birdwatching around the world and across all 50 states. He drove a camper from Gaspe Peninsula in Canada to southern Mexico and overseas in Australia, New Zealand, eastern Europe, and Asian Turkey. He had a passion to teach about radon safety during his retirement. He was an Army Corps of Engineers captain and a dedicated past master and member of Masonic Lodge #170 and Toastmasters. During his lifetime he donated 29 gallons of blood and platelets which saved lives as well as prolonged his own. He volunteered to tutor reading and high school math in Jeffco and also volunteered for Jeffco Open Space Avian Tree Cavity Program, watching golden eagle nests. A celebration of life is tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2019. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Robert’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation at 4330 East West Highway, Suite 230, Bethesda, MD 20814 or the charity of your choice. Condolences can be sent to ColoradoCrematory.com. The family would like to thank the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center (Swedish and Littleton) and Lutheran Hospital staff for their attentive care during Robert’s final days.