Randall Gene Beilke

life story

Exceptional Friend, Athlete, Musician, Animal Lover

Randy delighted us all with his intelligence, humor, music, athleticism, good will and kindness. He was the 6'-7" gentle giant among us.

Randall Gene Beilke (Randy)

Randy was born in Laramie, Wyoming to Gene and Ernestine Beilke in 1950. His playground was the Snowy Range in the Rocky Mountains, Vedauwoo (vee-da-voo) and the Great Laramie Valley. Our father introduced us to fishing at a young age. He would set our fishing gear for us and we had wonderful afternoons fishing and playing next to a mountain stream or lake. He started playing baseball at a young age and by the time he was 10 had developed into the best pitcher in Laramie. I remember my Dad coming into the house one day and asking my mother for something to pad his baseball glove with because "he is throwing so fast and hard my hand hurts." At 9 years old he learned to play all the marble games popular in the 1950's. He entered the Laramie all ages Marble Tournament and came in second place.

The family moved to Marshalltown, Iowa in 1961. Randy got active and excelled in many sports including basketball, baseball, football and track and field. Randy was an exceptional athlete. At the end of his sophomore year in baseball several pro baseball teams had contacted him about his plans for after graduation. By the time he graduated from MHS in 1969 he had to decide between a baseball scholarship, a track and field scholarship and several basketball scholarships. He chose basketball and education at University of Northern Iowa. He started all four years at UNI.

Randy loved music. I remember as kids listening to records of cowboy songs and singing along with Roy Rodgers. Randy had a beautiful singing voice as a child. He and I were asked to sing at church on occasion and sang with the children's choir. In high school he played the viola in the school orchestra. The orchestra would tune their instruments to Randy's A. He had perfect pitch. Music continued as a passion throughout his life. He became an expert on sound systems and how to install them for perfect sound in a particular environment. For years friends and family received links to music he found interesting or beautiful. It was not uncommon for me, first thing in the morning, to drink my coffee and listen to the music link he said would be a great start to my day.

Randy loved to be out in nature golfing and fishing. He deeply appreciated the beauty and peace he found in the mountains and in all the places he travelled and explored. He spent many happy hours with friends and family throughout his life enjoying outdoor activities. Randy and I were introduced to fishing by our father at a young age in the Snowy Range on mountain streams and lakes. Randy and I always helped each other get our fish out of the water and on to our dinner plates!

Randy joined a golf club in DesMoines and played regularly in a foursome. A few years ago he hit a hole-in-one and the celebratory drinks came rolling in at the clubhouse!

At 16 years of age he became interested in motorcycles. He liked motocross riding with his friend Gary West the best and kept his motorcycle for many years. His early flirtation with motorcycles turned into a serious love affair with Corvettes. He loved driving his 2009 Corvette across country to various Corvette conventions. His right of Spring was getting his Corvette out of winter storage and heading down the road!

Randy's imagination was always engaged by science, science fiction books and movies and real events such as the first moon walk and the Apollo missions. He also loved sea life and the world under the sea. We recently talked about the new James Webb space telescope which he thought was a tremendous piece of technology and could hardly wait for the pictures it sent to be published.

Randy grew up watching Sea Hunt with Lloyd Bridges and wanted to be a scuba diver and experience life in the ocean. He pursued that interest and in 1973 he received his scuba diving certificate and pursued his interest regarding the world's oceans.

Randy lived in Norwalk and worked in Des Moines after graduating from UNI.

Randy is proceeded in death by his father Gene Beilke. He is survived by his mother Ernestine Beilke, sister Kandace Beilke Hess (Craig), nephew Adrian Keyser (Megan) and great grand nephew Ronan Keyser, maternal uncle David Adamson (Mary).

memorial service

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life will be held this summer, 2022. A date, time and place in Marshalltown has not been determined at this time. If you would like to participate please email Kandace Beilke Hess at kandacehessk@gmail.com. You will receive an invitation to Randy's celebration when the details are set.