Matt Beckman

SIGOURNEY-Matthew Phillip (Matt) Beckman was born in Sperry Iowa on February 8th, 1946 to Martin and Hazel Beckman. He died unexpectedly on May 20th, 2018 at age 72.
Matt graduated from Notre Dame High School in Burlington Iowa and later obtained a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Iowa. He joined the United States Navy September 3, 1968 at the Glenview Naval Air Station. He spent 22 years as a pilot flying S-2's, A-3's and A-4's with ten of those years flying off aircraft carriers. In 1988, he retired as a Commander and Vietnam Veteran. After Matt's career in the Navy, he then spent 25 years as a corporate pilot for Motorola retiring in 2016.
While stationed at NAS North Island, San Diego, Matt met his wife of 46 years, Sheila Hammes. They married on October 9th, 1971 in What Cheer, Iowa. Matt was a proud and loving father of his three sons and three grandsons. Matt's passion in life was his flying. His career often kept him away from home, but afforded him many wonderful travels and plenty of time for his history reading. Once retired, he was able to concentrate on other interests--bicycling, traveling, and horseback riding. His new passion then became his three grandsons. He told his wife to tell everyone to vote Democratic in November so the environment will be saved for his grandsons....
A great man will be missed by many!
Matt is survived by his wife, Sheila; three sons Andrew, Alex (Megan), and Nathan (Dorsey) Beckman; three grandchildren Dawson, Bennett and Knox Beckman, all living in Denver. Also surviving are his three sisters Joan (Ray) Flores, Patricia (Fred) Smith, and Judith (Lyle) Grondin; and his two brothers John (Bonnie) Beckman and Paul (Lin) Beckman. In-laws include Jeanette Hammes, Dan (Sue) Hammes, Cindy (Steve) Hauschilt, Ted (Terri) Hammes, Scott (Deb) Hammes, Lynn (Christine) Hammes, and Todd (Valerie) Hammes. He was proceeded in death by his parents Martin and Hazel, brother Bernard, and father-in-law Floyd Hammes.

Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sigourney, with Rev. Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at a later date at the Iowa Veteran's Cemetery near Van Meter. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at the church, where there will be a wake service at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Paralyzed Veterans of America or Vietnam Veterans of America. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Matt and his family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.