Jack Beckley, 87 - Former Driver & Indy 500 Chief Mechanic
aka Bob
August 16, 1918-January 19, 2006
Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa August 16, 1918, the middle of seven
children, Jack enjoyed success in high school sports and embarked on
an auto racing career at age 16 with his oldest brother Kenny. He
raced across the country in the popular midget car series until the
start of WWII, when he settled in Southern California and went to work
for Lockheed.
There he met and wed his beloved Harriet, wife of 62 years, and had
two children, Linda (David) of Sun City, Arizona, and Patrick of
Indianapolis, Indiana.
After the war, Jack returned to auto racing, rising quickly to Chief
Mechanic status at the Indianapolis 500, a position he enjoyed for
many years.
He turned wrenches for many of the great drivers of his time. He had
numerous victories on the Championship trail, which included two
Indianapolis victories (1954 and 1973).
Retiring as a mechanic in the mid 70's, he went to work as a race
official with the United States Auto Club, becoming a Vice President,
Chairman of the Technical Committee and Chairman of the Safety
Committee.
He was also President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oldtimers
Club.
He and Harriet retired to Glendale, Arizona in the early 90's. He
passed away January 19th, 2006, after a short illness.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute in his name to the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway Oldtimers Club. Per his wishes, there will be no
service. Loved by his family, respected by his peers, he will be
greatly missed by all. Rest in Peace
Published in the Los Angeles Times on 1/22/2006.
"It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Woody Allen
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