Dr. Robert B. Beckett, 74, passed away August 7, 2016 in Wabash, Indiana after a brief illness. Bob was born in 1942 in Houston, Texas, raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Frankfort, Indiana. He graduated from Frankfort High School in 1960, went on to obtain a Pharmacy degree from Purdue University in 1965, followed by a Masters of Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University in 1972, and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee in 1974. After returning to Indiana to practice pharmacy, Bob then graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1980. He started his practice in Wabash in 1980, retiring in 2011. In 1966, Bob met his wife Susan Fleet on a blind date on the IUPUI campus and they were married in September of 1967.
Dr. Bob proudly served as a Captain in the US Army from 1966-69. He served a tour in Korea as Chief Pharmacy Officer of a MASH Unit. Bob was a passionate supporter and servant of the US Military. As such, he was a Wabash Regional Director on the Grissom Community Council. He was also a life member of the VFW Post 286, and the American Legion Post 15, both of Wabash.
Bob had a fervent love for all things history. He served as the President of the Wabash County Historical Society, and was on the boards of the Wabash County Historical Museum and Paradise Spring. He was also a member of the Wabash County Genealogy Society.
Public health and the community of Wabash were very important to Bob and, as such, he served his community for over 25 years as a member of the Wabash County Board of Health. Currently, he was a volunteer at 85 Hope Clinic, was a member of the Wabash County Tobacco Free Coalition, the Mental Health Association Board and served on the Indiana Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force. He served on the Board of Overseers for the Honeywell House and was a member of Kiwanis International. Bob was a life member of the American Dental Association and the Indiana Dental Association, as well as a member of the Grant County and Wabash Valley Dental Societies. He was an active member of Wabash First United Methodist Church.
Bob’s love for his family was paramount. He was born to be a grandfather and was loved by his children and grandchildren. Bob loved to travel both near and abroad with friends and particularly with his children and their families. Bob is lovingly survived by his wife, Susan, his daughters, Kelley (Brian) Storm and Katy (Doug) Smith, and grandchildren, Von Storm, Holden Storm, Eli Smith, and Annie Smith. He is also survived by brothers Russell (Kathy) Beckett of Miramar Lakes, Florida and Steven (Terri) Beckett of Redlands, California. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary K. Beckett.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with Rev. Kurt Freeman and Rev. John Cook officiating. Friends may call 4-7pm Friday and 9-11am Saturday, at the funeral home. There will be a graveside service with military honors 11:00 am Monday, August 15, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bob’s name to the Wabash County Historical Museum, 36 E.Market Street, Wabash, or Honor Flight Northeast Indiana, PO Box 5, Huntertown, Indiana 46748 (hfnei.org).
The memorial guestbook for Bob may be signed on-line at grandstaff-hentgen.com.