Obituary for Richard “Archie” Beckman

Father Richard Beckman

March 24, 1930 – May 6, 2022

Father Richard “Archie” Beckman, a retired priest for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, died peacefully on May 6, 2022, in Ponca City, OK. He was 92. Viewing will be held from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Wednesday at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. A Rosary Ceremony will be held at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Newkirk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, May 12, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, with Archbishop Paul S. Coakley officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Newkirk Cemetery.

Those unable to attend the Mass of Christian Burial, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 9:45 AM. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Father Beckman was born on March 24, 1930, in Chicago, IL, to Oscar and Mary (Howard) Beckman. He was one of five children with two children becoming a priest and the third serving as a religious sister. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 10. 1956, in Chicago, by Archbishop William O’Brien. Father Beckman graduated from Quigley Catholic High School in Chicago, before attending Cardinal Glennon College in Saint Louis. He entered Saint Thomas Theological Seminary (now Saint John Vianny Theology Seminary) in Denver.

Father Beckman came to Oklahoma in 1956, serving as an associate pastor at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Tulsa. He also served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Muskogee and Saint William Catholic Church and Catholic Student Center in Durant. He served as pastor at Saint Cornelius Catholic Church, Cherokee; Our lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Chandler; Saint Mary Catholic Church, Guthrie; Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Crescent; Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Lexington; Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Purcell; and Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Newkirk, where he retired in June 2006.

Along with his parish priest assignments, he served as chaplain at the juvenile detention center in El Reno from 1966-1975, and was a member of several community and county service groups. He celebrated his 65th anniversary as a priest in 2021. Because of his long career of service, Father Beckman and his witty, and sometimes obstinate sense of humor, was well known to many in the archdiocese. he was beloved by many parishioners, including parishioners and friends in Newkirk who he considered family. They continued to visit and help care for Father Beckman in retirement.

He enjoyed golf, water skiing and snow skiing. His greatest interest was serving the Catholic Church, to which he dedicated his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Mary (Howard) Beckman; his brothers, Father Charles Beckman, Edward Beckman and John Beckman and nephew, Edward “EJ” Beckman, Jr. He is survived by his sister, Mary C. Beckman, BVM; nieces, Beth Beckman and Ellen Beckman; and nephew Jack Beckman; great-nieces and nephews, Erin Melwak, Natalie McCarthy, Bianca, Joey and Samuel, along with Joe, Mary and Charlie Beckman.

The family expresses deep appreciation to the many dedicated health professionals and friends whose loving service, including Jan and Ray Schieber, Becky and Billy Tobin, Karen and Steve McConnell, DaMetra and Mike Vap, Suzanne Clem (priests’ nurse for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City), Mary Diane Steltenkamp (former priests’ nurse), and the staff of Ascension Via Christi Village, of Ponca City. Memorial gifts may be made to Sisters of Charity, BVM, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003.

Source: Trout Funeral Home