Robert James Beckman

RICHMOND, Ind. - Robert James Beckman, age 90, of Richmond, died Friday, June 19, 2015, at Brookdale of Richmond. Born June 21, 1924, in Richmond, Indiana, to John Carl and Lue Marie Gehring Beckman, he lived most of his life in Richmond. Bob was a 1942 graduate of Richmond High School. He served in the United States Navy as a Yeoman 2C during World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. Bob was a 1951 graduate of Indiana University where he earned a bachelor's degree in voice and music education, and was a 1961 graduate of Miami University where he earned a master's degree in music education. He was a music teacher in Lima, Ohio, and Connersville, Gary, and Richmond, Indiana. Bob retired from Richmond Community Schools in 1986 after 35 years of teaching. He was a fourth generation member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he directed choir and was a performer known for his baritone voice. Bob was a member of the Indiana State Retired Teachers Association. He was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast. Survivors include his daughter, Beth (Bob) Goodwin of Batesville, Indiana; sons, Mark (Charlotte) Beckman of Camby, Indiana, and Kent (Kathy) Beckman of Terre Haute, Indiana; six granddaughters, Susan (Bryce) Brown, Sara (Micha Boland) Beckman, Stacey (Justin) Camp, Lindsay Beckman, and Grace and Megan Goodwin; two grandsons, Christopher Beckman and Derrick Goodwin; three great-grandsons, Noah Brown, Aaron Brown, and Easton Camp; brother, Joseph (Digna) Beckman of Florida; nieces; nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Margaret Ellen Kinnear Beckman, who died in 2006; parents; sisters, Neola Stephenson and Dorothy Roby; and brothers, John II, Paul, and William Beckman. Visitation for Robert James Beckman will be from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 22, 2015, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 121 South 18th Street, Richmond with Rev. Robert Meckley officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery with military honors provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 121 South 18th Street, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Robert James Beckman

June 21, 1924 - June 19, 2015