Howard Beck passed away on December 31, 2001.

Since his passing we have received a tremendous outpouring of support through those who attended the funeral and Shiva, to cards, flowers, and emails offering condolences.

Howard's one wish was that when he passed away he wanted to provide his friends and family the opportunity to celebrate life, rather than mourning his death, the best way he knew how......through a good rugby party.

To that extent, an evening of revelry, courtesy of Howard, was held at Philadelphia-Whitemarsh RFC clubhouse in Conshohocken, PA on Saturday, January 19, 2002.

We hope to see everyone from his rugby family there. Dress is casual and rugby kit is optional!

Pictures from the event are above. The party was courtousy of Terri, Larry Phillip and Eoin.

(Partially written from an obituary sent to me by Tony Studdy)

Howard Beck (Inspector, rugby player, 71)

TheRugbyClub suffered a great loss with the passing of Howard Beck.

Howard Beck of West Chester, a retired laboratory inspector and rugby player died of heart and kidney failure on Monday, December 31, 2001 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Howard, who was raised in South Philadelphia and Wynnefield, played rugby for the Philadelphia-Whitemarsh Rugby Club for 30 years until suffering a stroke two years ago.

He was introduced to rugby in the 1960's after meeting Theresa (Terri) McGuire, an Irishwoman who had a circle of Philadelphia RFC rugby-playing friends. The couple married in 1968.

Howard's son, Philip Beck said, "He was close to 40 when he started to play, by the loved his teammates and really worked to stay in shape."

After graduating from Temple University with a degree in Chemistry, Howard worked for a drug research company in the area and in Connecticut. In 1974, he became a medical laboratory inspector for the Pa Department of Health based in West Chester. His son said he developed guidelines for lab procedures and developed the certification process for medial laboratories to comply with OSHA policies.

He was a member of the executive club in West Chester and was on the Board of the woman's crisis center sponsored by the club.

In addition to his dear wife Terri and son Philip, Howard is survive by his son Edwin and Laurence; daughters Ruth Perlstein and Jacqueline Weiss; a brother and 14 grandchildren; and his first wife Arlyne Wernikoff.

Howard was always around during my playing days. He always wore his red Philly jersey to training (just like the one in the picture above). I remember thinking, "What is this old man doing out here? Why doesn't he get a life? God he must be 80!".

I found some pictures from the 25^th Philadelphia reunion (1985). For effect, I've attached pictures of me in 1985 and Howard the same year. Who aged? The picture of Howard at the top of the page was taken recently. As for the picture of me recently, it's too sad to print. So Howard didn't age - I did. We all did - look at Andy Rosato with hair.

The picture of Howard in his Philly garb playing Philadelphia Old Boys v. Whitemarsh Old Boys (1985 - Howard at 55) is how I remember Howard. That's the way he always was. He never aged in the time I knew him. He was always a happy cheerful positive part of our club.

Howard, we'll miss you.

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