Ralph W. Beck

Ralph Beck, 66 of Bliss, passed away in his home on Monday, February 3rd, 2025. He is survived by his mother, Martha, siblings Pam (Mark), Cliff, Betty, and Vernon (Elaine), wife Kathy, children McKayla, Michael (Nanci). Jeremy, Aimee (Charles), Zeb, TJ (Carla), many grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, a closet full of Hawaiian shirts, pockets full of change, and a garage overflowing with old tools that no one can find. 

My dad asked questions about everything, was an avid user of sarcasm, read the paper daily, loved to mow the lawn, was the worst backseat driver, and enjoyed margaritas specifically made by his granddaughter, Cathryn. In lieu of a list of accomplishments and a descriptive life story (there isn’t enough room honestly), we leave you short anecdotes and a comprehensive list of what made my dad, my dad, according to the people who loved him best:

#1: Pie

When I was 22 and living in Wellsville, he was towing for AAA and happened to be in Wellsville around 8pm. He called me, then bought a pie from Tops. He brought it over, stayed about twenty minutes, we watched tv, ate pie, then he went home. 

#2: Greetings 

Walking into the house to hear him yell, “the Schwab girls are here!”. Or, him leaning over to tell grandma (in the same room) that “the Schwab girls are here” only for her to laugh and say, “No” sarcastically. 

#3: Voicemails

I have countless voicemails of him just saying, “Called you by mistake…bye”

#4: Campers and Cars

When I backed into our camper, he was the first person I called. He said he could fix the dent in my car and dad would never know. 

#5: Commercials

(watching TV) “Oh, I need that” (no matter the product or intended audience)

#6: Text Messages

“Hello Ella, when you get a minute, text your grandmother to stop making fun of me…it’s bad”

#7. Quotes, Advice and All Things That Make Us Think of You

“Three days is the perfect amount of time to vacation at the beach”

“Chocolate chip cookies should be light and chewy, not thick and crunchy”

“Always get your oil changed on time”

“You can never have enough chocolate bars”

“Marry rich. Or work for the state”

“Never let your gas tank get below a quarter of a tank”

“I don’t want to read your name in the newspaper”

“Dogs are very spiritual”

“What about me?”

“But did you talk about me?”

“Alright” 

“Someday, all of this (our home) will be yours”

A perfectly cooked steak (medium, of course)

Elvis

Road trips to Virginia Beach

Disney for Christmas

Weddings in Georgia and in backyards

Endless episodes of NCIS on Saturday nights

(free)Oil changes/paid in cookies

Parallel Parking

Duct tape

Superstitions

Slim Jims

(in reference to a burger king burger) “Don’t you just want that?”

Bleeding breaks in the garage

Waffle House

Road trips

Minivans

Marine Land

Calling Maroon 5, Maroob 6

Big Foot, Aliens, Werewolves

The smell of diesel/the garage

Handing out candy on Halloween

Texts when the Bills were on… “they’re stinking up the place”

He is deeply missed.