William Covington Beck Jr. 'Skipper' Mr. Beck, devoted husband and father, loving brother and son, loyal friend, prominent Charlotte businessman and philanthropist, and avid sportsman, died Friday, September 11, 2009. He was 49. Mr. Beck, known to his family, friends and business associates as Skipper, was killed when the single-engine plane he was piloting crashed shortly after taking off from the Rock Hill-York County Airport in Rock Hill, S.C. An avid motorsports enthusiast with a lifelong passion for cars and all things motorized, Skipper was the longtime president and CEO of Beck Imports of the Carolinas, one of the largest Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the U.S., during which time he served on the board of the prestigious Mercedes-Benz National Dealer Council. Following the sale of Beck Imports in 2008, Skipper remained active in the retail automotive business as a principal in Beck Automotive Group, which operates dealerships across the country. Skipper came by his interest in cars naturally. He was born in Charlotte on March 31, 1960, the son of Patricia Quick Beck and William C. Beck Sr. Skipper's father was the founder of Bill Beck Ford and later, in 1967, opened Barrier-Beck Motors, which became Beck Imports of the Carolinas. Skipper spent much of his boyhood washing cars and helping out at his father's dealership. He attended Charlotte Latin School and later attended Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, where he studied automotive retail management, and North Carolina State University. Skipper began his career in the automotive industry in the early 1980s and opened his own dealership in partnership with longtime friend and business associate Rick Hendrick. He later took over Beck Imports and oversaw its growth and success for more than two decades. In addition to his service on the board of Mercedes-Benz dealers, Skipper also served as chairman of Maybach MB-USA. Despite his accomplishments in business, Skipper was more widely known for his family's unstinting generosity and commitment to multiple charitable causes, primarily children's charities. Together, Skipper and his wife Lynn became prominent for their philanthropy, supporting organizations including The Family Center, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Fight Night For Kids. In 2006, Lynn and Skipper were awarded the Hope Award, the highest community service award presented by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society nationwide. In 2007, the Beck family was awarded the National Philanthropic Award, presented by the Charlotte chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals to recognize charitable contributions made to the Charlotte community. In the past few years, the Becks had broadened their philanthropic support to include efforts to improve living standards and meet basic needs in East Africa. Through their involvement in Samaritan's Purse and Cross-Cultural Thresholds, the Becks have traveled to Africa several times for medical mission work and to assist in well-drilling projects to provide clean drinking water in Sudan and the construction of classrooms for Drug Fighters School, a rescue center, feeding center and school for at-risk children in Kibera slum, the largest slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Of all the things he cared about, Skipper was proudest of and most passionate about his family. He held his love for his wife Lynn and their sons, William Brandon Beck and Graham Covington Beck above all else. He was so proud of Brandon, a rising senior at Purchase College, for obtaining a bachelor of fine arts and pursuing his love of writing, acting and directing. The love of motorsports shared by Skipper and Graham led to the establishment of Beck Motorsports and Graham's own team, Graham Beck Racing. Some of Skipper's favorite moments were those spent watching his sons pursue their interests and follow their dreams. Skipper was an avid golfer and sports fan who combined his passion for sports and business in his investment in a minority ownership stake in the Charlotte Bobcats NBA franchise. Skipper played a major role in securing the franchise for Charlotte and was known as an ardent supporter of the team both on and off the court. Among the many memories Skipper treasured from his close association with sports was his experience of playing golf with golf legend Tiger Woods and basketball legend Michael Jordan during the Pro-Am of the 2007 Wachovia Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club. Skipper was predeceased by his father, William C. Beck Sr.; his mother-in-law, Shirley E. Sams, and his grandmother, 'Mama Ruth' Christie. Surviving him are his wife of 24 years, Lynn S. Beck, of Charlotte, N.C.; his sons, William Brandon Beck and Graham Covington Beck of Charlotte; his mother, Patricia Quick Beck of Charlotte; his brother, Robert L. Beck, sister-in-law, Karla Beck and Robert's children, Robert Landon Beck, John C. Beck and Cailin E. Beck, all of Dallas; sister, Kelly Beck Haseley of Charlotte, brother-in-law Allan N. Haseley and their children, Erin B. Haseley and Emma N. Haseley; sister-in-law, Paula S. Dietrich of Greensboro, and her daughter Logan E. Tew; father-in-law, Richard E. Sams of Greensboro. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Forest Hill Church, 7224 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, directed by Pastor David Chadwick.

Charlotte Observer, The (NC) - Sunday, September 13, 2009