Dr. Richard Leander Beck

Dr. Richard Leander Beck, 79, of Folly Beach, South Carolina, husband of Karen Lovelace, entered into eternal rest on April 25, 2026. Richard was born across the street from Colonial Lake on August 21, 1946, and grew up in Riverland Terrace on James Island in the most idyllic of times, roaming the woods, spending hours on water skis, venturing far and wide on his bicycle, and enjoying the company of friends and brothers. Richard was never out of work from the time he started delivering the Charleston Evening Post at age twelve, saving money at his gas station job so that he could be the first in his family to get a college education. He earned a BA degree in chemistry from Erskine College and a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and enjoyed a 44-year career in dental medicine.

He loved his family, his patients, the water, photography, books, writing, travel, music, dramatics, and perhaps most of all, service. Richard played guitar and sang, and found great solace in reading, especially books of history. A photographic enthusiast, he once won first place from South Carolina Wildlife in the mammal category for his image of a dolphin leaping out of the water with the sun setting in the background. He was also a licensed boat captain, conducting dolphin tours to the Morris Island Lighthouse and sharing his love of the water with others. Richard loved to travel and was able to visit 30 different countries.

Richard served as the dental director of Appalachia I and II in the early '70s and was the grant creator for the dental division of Sea Island Comprehensive Healthcare in 1974. In the late '70s and through the '80s, he served four years on the city council of the City of Folly Beach and seven years as its mayor. He was the prime mover in proving that the Charleston harbor jetties caused the erosion of Morris and Folly Islands and secured a commitment from the US Army Corps of Engineers for a fifty-year Folly Beach renourishment program.

In 2023, Richard published a history of Folly Island called Remaining Folly: A Sea Island's Journey. One of Richard's passions was the Morris Island Lighthouse. He was a charter member of Save the Light Inc. and served on its board for over thirty years. Of late, he dedicated considerable time to the Folly Beach History Museum and its surfing exhibit.

Energetic, passionate, honest, and loyal, he will be missed as a devoted public servant, a loving husband, a generous and dependable friend, and one of the good guys. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Karen; a daughter, Jennie Simmons Salpeter; and two grandchildren, Arielle and Ben Weinberger of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and, from Karen’s side, three children, Virginia Hyatt of Chapin, SC, Sarah King of Troy, OH, and Lee Hyatt of Danbury, CT; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; two brothers, Carl Donald Beck (Anne) of Younges Island, S.C., and Charles Arthur Beck Jr. (Ann) of Hollywood, S.C.; two nephews, Daniel Aaron Beck of Younges Island and Charles Arthur Beck III of West Ashley; and best friends Dr. John and Judy Manzi, Dr. Ralph Devon Parks, Dr. Robert Beall, and Wendy Lubis. He was predeceased by his mother, Beulah Catherine Weatherford; his father, Ernest Leon Sineath; his brother, James Robert Sineath; his sister, Pamela Ray Sineath; his nephew, Stephen Ryan Beck; and his grandchild Ashley Reed Shealy. Funeral arrangements are being conducted by J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home, with details forthcoming.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in James Island Presbyterian Church beginning at 10:00 am, and the funeral service will start at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Christ St. Paul’s Church Cemetery in Hollywood, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Richard’s memory to Save the Lighthouse at www.savethelight.org, the Folly Beach Historical Society at www.follybeachhistory.org, or James Island Presbyterian Church at www.jamesislandpc.org.