Harrisburg, PA — Steven C. Beck, former superintendent of Hempt Farms, the “Home of the Keystones” of the late Hall of Famer Max C. Hempt, passed away on Oct. 30 at the age of 74.

Born in Freeport, Ill., Beck went into military service of the country soon after high school. While with the Navy, he was stationed in, among other places, Cuba and Panama when they were international hot spots. He ended his military service attached to a Marine battalion deployed in Vietnam.

In 1968, Beck went to work at Hempt Farms and spent almost a quarter century at the Mechanicsburg, Pa. nursery. He rose through the management ranks there until retiring as farm superintendent in 1992.

He met his wife Betty Ann Hobbs, known as Ann, in 1971, and they were married a year later. After Beck left Hempt, he and Ann established the small breeding operation Anchor Farm in Carlisle, Pa., until full retirement in 2006. They lived in Mechanicsburg at the time of Beck’s passing.

Besides Ann, Steve Beck leaves behind twin sons Craig and Jeff, along with six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Bacus.

Beck was interred on Nov. 14 at West Branch Cemetery in Haldane, Ill.