Obituary of C.B. Boeckman

C.B. �Beck� Boeckman, entered this world July 21, 1924 in Kelly, Kansas. He was the first of seven children born to Joseph and Johanna Bokern Boeckman. He leaves behind his wife of sixty-six years, Martha �Nan� Boeckman. Beck and Nan met in 1944 at the U.S. Army Medical Unit in Kansas City, Missouri. They were joined in marriage at the Paseo Presbyterian Church in Kansas City on April 29, 1947. In 1949 they opened Mar-Beck Appliance Service, Inc. in Kansas City. The successful business had expanded to four locations by the time of their retirement. Not satisfied with the retired lifestyle, they relocated to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1978 to operate Empire Resort on the Little Niangua arm of the Lake until 1985. Their second attempt at retirement included many travels across the U.S. in their motorhome as well as several trips abroad. During Beck�s later years at the Lake, he enjoyed captaining his pontoon boat, golfing, caring for his daughter, and entertaining grandchildren. Beck was a long time member of St. Anthony�s Catholic Church in Camdenton, Missouri. He was also a 29 year member of the Knights of Columbus, rising to a Knight of the Third Degree. Beck leaves behind a long legacy of public service. Beck served in the U.S. Army for six years, at which point he was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant. After the birth of his first daughter, Debra, Beck became an advocate for the disabled. He is a former president and founding member of both the Greater Kansas City and Missouri chapters of the United Cerebral Palsy Association. Beck also served as a director of the National Cerebral Palsy Group. He was involved with numerous homes for the handicapped in both Kansas City and central Missouri. As a small business owner, Beck made it a priority to provide employment for the handicapped. He was preceded in death by his sisters Bernice Smith and Helen Honeyman. He is survived by his siblings Les Boeckman of Topeka, KS; Jerry Boeckman of Hiawatha, KS; Ken Boeckman of Seneca, KS; and Martha Hutfles of Falls City, NE. Beck is survived by five children and their spouses; Debra Boeckman of Camdenton, MO; Jim and Linda Griffeth of Houston, TX; David and Linda Boeckman of Camdenton, MO; Mark and Kathy Boeckman of Santa Clara, CA; and Daniel and Gail Boeckman of Carterville, IL. Beck was proud to have twelve grandchildren, Jill McMillan, Chris Boeckman, Jenny Dean, Matthew Boeckman, Jon Boeckman, Patrick Boeckman, Kate Boeckman, Jaclin Boeckman, Kaylin Boeckman, Justin Boeckman, Sean Calhoun and Deegan Boeckman. He is survived by four great-grandchildren, Hudson Dean, Lawson McMillan, Holt McMillan and Harper Dean. He is remembered by his friends and family for his perseverance, kindness, hard work and insatiable sweet tooth. He will be greatly missed.