Bruce Beck, Jr., 87, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully with loving family by his side on Friday, February 28, 2025. These past several years, Bruce endured many health challenges but strived through it all to focus on the good he could do. We know he is now free from his suffering and joyfully reunited with his treasured wife, Janet, who passed nearly 22 years ago, and his oldest child, Jani-Lin, who passed last April, 2024.
Bruce was born in the small farming town of Montpelier, Idaho, on December 29, 1937. He faced many trials in his youth but learned from his mother to work hard and to trust in his Father in Heaven. His mother was his constant cheerleader. Bruce's childhood friends supported him too, and mentors and teachers helped him see his potential. Bruce participated in his school's band, choir and plays, and earned varsity letters in football, baseball and basketball. His senior year of high school, he was sports editor of the school paper, combining two of his loves: sports and writing.
At 20 years old, Bruce chose to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was thrilled to be assigned to labor in the Samoan islands from 1958-1960. While there, Bruce developed a deep love for the Samoan people and demonstrated a unique ability to learn and speak the Samoan language, even the "respect language" of the Chiefs. He concluded his missionary service by accepting an assignment to assist with translating the Doctrine & Covenants, a book of scripture, into Samoan--a significant task, but one Bruce felt humbled and honored to complete. His testimony of the Savior flourished on his mission, and it informed all of his life's decisions afterward. Bruce's service in Samoa brought one more noteworthy blessing: the acquaintance of an outgoing and enthusiastic missionary named Janet Shimoda, from Pasadena, California. Janet's personality, talents and faith made quite an impression on Bruce, and a year after they returned home from their missions, the two married in 1961.
Bruce and Janet lived in Salt Lake City for the first twelve years of their marriage and eventually settled in the Moon Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona, in 1973, where they worked together to build a happy marriage and raise five children. Bruce's education and training, (a degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Utah), provided the foundation for a long, successful career. Not only did he work as a licensed psychologist, he was also a pioneer in his field, applying principles of psychology to business. His visionary leadership proved invaluable to many companies, and he became a highly sought after consultant, too. His extraordinary wisdom and counseling skills blessed others in all areas of his life.
When his sons were young, he began coaching their teams-t-ball and Little League baseball, Pop Warner football, and even junior high basketball. Many of his sons went on to win league and regional titles. Saturday games became a family affair, with Janet and his daughters cheering and video recording, and Bruce and his sons on the field. Bruce also served on the Little League Board for a time. "Coach," seems a fitting word to describe Bruce as a father too--he lovingly helped his children see a vision of who they could be, and provided and encouraged all along the way.
Bruce cherished family time: watching sports together, golfing and fishing with his sons, playing board and card games, traveling with Janet and the family, going to movies and out to eat, and enjoying a slice of pie or mom's homemade German chocolate cake after dinner. And it should be noted, he delighted in beating us all at ping pong. We children learned from him the value of both a well-placed serve, and a little, harmless trash talking.
Bruce was also very dedicated to his church and gave generously of his time, talents and means. Many have been inspired by his gospel doctrine classes and messages shared from the pulpit. He sought always to be an instrument in the Lord's hands and to teach His gospel by the Spirit. Bruce served in quiet ways, too, donating money to many charities, taking a genuine interest in others, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and visiting regularly those he cared about to listen and to comfort. In the later years of his life, he became even more focused on serving others. When Janet became ill in 1999, he became her caregiver, and when she passed in 2003, he babysat the grandkids, cheered them on at graduations, baseball and soccer games, offered priesthood blessings, sent letters and cards, and did his best to make each of his family members feel the love of their angel grandma.
And when Bruce's body began failing, and he wasn't as capable as he used to be, he wished only to be of use and to serve. Up until his last few hospitalizations, in fact, he was still working remotely as a consultant, sending birthday and anniversary cards, making his regular, uplifting phone calls to family and friends and praying daily, often hours at a time, seeking Heavenly Father's guidance and blessings for all he loved. He might've seen his greatest achievements as his scholarly or professional ones, but those closest to him recognize so many more. His unfailing faith, his humility in suffering, his quickness to apologize and forgive, his desire to improve, and his focus on loving and giving--all have left forever marks upon our hearts. We will dearly miss his quick wit, easy grin, spiritual strength and steadying presence in our family. We are beyond thankful for the Savior's atonement and resurrection that allow our family love and relationships to extend beyond the veil.
Bruce is survived by his children and their spouses, Brandin and Janine Beck, Brady and Amie Beck, Jaime and Jim Harvey, and Jacque and Jason Wallace, as well as his 12 grandchildren and one grandson-in-law.
The memorial service for Bruce will be held Friday, March 14, 2025, at 10:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2503 W Anthem Way, in Anthem, Arizona. In lieu of a viewing, guests are welcome to arrive beginning at 9:30 am to greet family and view displays representing Bruce and his remarkable life. Burial will immediately follow, at approximately 12:00 pm, at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 E Bell Road in Scottsdale, Arizona. The memorial service will also be available to view via Zoom: Link: https://zoom.us/j/92654724997?pwd=vZTRj3aZMLXWjisJg3HicTCUMYii8l.1 Webinar ID: 926 5472 4997 Passcode: 412988