Robert 'Rob' Harold Beck, 66

Who was Rob Beck? What was his real essence, his real “Rob-ness?” Rob was a person who was hard to pigeonhole. He did not fit easily into a simple description. He was complex. He was unique. He had an infectious laugh and smile.

Passionate and strong in his beliefs he also ran a Quixotic campaign for County Commissioner (nearly pulling it off) as a Democrat in North Idaho – so close, yet so far away. He also believed in giving back to his community, volunteering on far too many boards to list, even serving with the Peace Corps. Rob was focused and goal-oriented but still admired people who could go with the flow instead of swimming upstream (or paddling downstream in a canoe nearly full of water as he did at least once, and maybe more). Rob had a temper but oddly enough, it did not appear that often, only occasionally on the golf course. Rob was ever intentional. Perhaps this intentional-ness was one of the reasons he enjoyed acting in musical theater so much. It was a chance to appear un-intentional for a while. He loved music and was a pretty fair guitar player and singer. Rob was a founding member of the “Brave Bunny Club” an informal group of adventurers. They went on many expeditions, including climbing Mount Borah and Mount Rainier, hiking the Grand Canyon, many ski excursions and white water raft trips. Rob was also ever-optimistic. Even when receiving a diagnosis of stage four prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones, he set about creating a plan that would allow him to conquer this disease and return to the golf course by spring.

Rob adored his wife, Kathy; and his two children, Noah and Abra; and his, granddaughter, Sarai.

Who was Rob Beck? Among everything else, he was our family, our friend, and our mentor. We will miss you Rob.

Robert “Rob” Harold Beck was born on Jan. 3, 1947, in Detroit, Mich., he passed away in Coeur d’Alene on Jan. 14, 2013.

He leaves his loving wife, Kathy; two children Noah Beck and Abra Wolff; brother Ken Beck and sister Sheryl Beck.

A memorial service is planned for at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, at the Unity Church in Coeur d’Alene.