Harvey Beck passed away on March 23, 2022 from complications after a fall. Harvey was born February 3rd, 1930 at his home in Tyndall, SD and was the only child of Ella and Mike Beck. He married his high school sweetheart Joyce Rohla in 1952 and graduated from Southern State Teachers College with a teaching degree in the 1950’s. Harvey taught band at Avon and Tabor and later taught chemistry, physics and biology at Tyndall High School. He then changed professions and became an electrician doing local and commercial work around the SD area. Harvey had many interests in his life such as being a Ham Radio operator (WB0BLH), and as the local civil defense director for Bon Homme county. However, Harvey’s greatest passion was always music and he played the trumpet from age 10 to 92 and played in many bands while growing up such as The Eager Beavers, The Jack LaSalle Band, and The Hungry Five + Polka band. He was also a member of the 147th infantry unit of the National Guard band in Mitchell. Harvey and Joyce moved to Mesa, AZ in the early 1990’s and Harvey continued his musical journey by forming his own Hungry five+ polka band and performing in the Swinging Resorter’s Big Band, The Towerpoint concert band and The East Valley Pops orchestra. He was the Master of Ceremony for all the groups. Harvey is survived by his only child, Karen Beck who resides in Mesa, Arizona. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to make people smile and whenever you hear “The Beer Barrel Polka”, you can bet he and Joyce are dancing to his favorite polka.
Beautiful we will even dance to beer barrel polka Karen. Blessings
Tom and Jean
So sorry, Harvey was a great man and teacher, He will be missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Karen.
He was one of my favorite teachers in Tyndall. Hugs Karen
I remember him teaching and in Tabor at Czech Days playing in the polka band. He also wired my house I lived in, in Tabor. Always said hello and seemed to remember everyone, he was an extraordinary and kind man
My condolences to The Beck family. His music ability was amazing, and his wonderful demeanor was as well. May you RIP, Harvey❣️
We just heard of your dad’s passing, Karen. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. You and your dad were so close playing music together. He was a great teacher and your folks were dear friends of our family. Joyce and Howard and Dorothy are greeting him in Heaven with cocktails and love.
Harv was the emcee of the Citrus Gardens Concert Orchestra when I became the conductor in 1994. Through the years, he was one of the highlights of our many performances, and the audiences always loved his humor. He was still our emcee at the age of 91 after we’d become the East Valley Pops Orchestra. Everyone in the orchestra has so many good memories of the antics and wisecracks of Harvey Beck. We’ll never be able to replace him. May he rest in peace.
Harvey did a great job preparing students for college. I remember playing taps at my father’s burial. He was my first basketball coach.
Ken & Joan Taplett