Meet Larry Beck of Stevenson Oaks

▸

When Larry Beck first expressed his intent to live at Stevenson Oaks in early 2020, his wife Kathy was by his side. The pair was making big plans for their life at the community, however, by the time the community was set to open in 2022, Kathy had passed and Larry was facing the move on his own. As he aimed to settle into a new home with new neighbors and a new routine, he knew he was in for a wave of big changes, all at once.

He had formerly been in the role of caregiver, a role that can be supremely fulfilling but all consuming as well. He knew he would need a new place to invest his time and energy.

One of the paths he considered was pursuing a doctorate degree. He went down this path for a bit, with his paperwork submitted and degree plan mapped out. However, the opening of Stevenson Oaks was getting closer and closer, prompting him to consider another path. He wondered, “What if there was a way I could use my talents to serve my fellow neighbors?”

Once he had given his options some thought, he admits that the appeal of the doctorate program began to lessen while the anticipation for all the fun they could have at Stevenson Oaks began to grow and grow. Perhaps this path became the most attractive because he is naturally a creative, adventurer at heart. Or maybe it’s because he knew he wasn’t the only one facing the big wave of changes, they all were, every new neighbor was facing the struggle of letting go while embracing what is to come, the paradox of this type of change.

Beck decided then and there to give himself fully to the burgeoning community as a volunteer member of the Life Enrichment team, creating programs and hosting events, along with a myriad of other projects he launched almost immediately.

"From the moment Larry Beck moved into Stevenson Oaks, his dedication to building a vibrant, connected community was made known. With a passion for service and a heart for others, Larry quickly became a key player in organizing events—most notably Bingo, which has since grown in popularity thanks to his enthusiasm and creative twists on the game. One special way Stevenson Oaks celebrates Larry’s impact is through our annual Larry Beck Day, held every November. On this day, residents and staff alike join in the fun by dressing up as Larry, complete with signature styles and all, for the entire day! It’s a joyful, lighthearted tradition that reflects the deep appreciation our community holds for Larry and all the ways he contributes to life at Stevenson Oaks," said Ashley Isaman, Life Enrichment Director.

One of the big hits in the early days was the trivia games he created to help each person get to know each other. You see, the questions weren’t about history, art, or science, the questions were about each other. A perfect way to get acquainted! The room would be packed, wall to wall, with people eager to play as the game always leaned heavy on humor.

But the efforts to help neighbors get acquainted didn’t stop there. He also launched a book series called, “Who Be Us?” where he writes short stories gathered from the lives of those living at the community.

Beck put out a simple prompt, then sat back and let the stories roll in. From wedding bloopers, to war stories, to embarrassing moments, and more, the group has explored the many chapters of each others lives, now chronicled in little bound booklets, thanks to Beck. A copy of each book in the series has been added to the community’s library. He even launched the idea of a community yearbook, an idea now managed by an eager group of resident volunteers. The yearbook is similar to something you might have had in school with photos of each resident, along with memorable happenings throughout the year.

“The camaraderie between residents at Stevenson Oaks is palpable. Anytime we open a new community, there is a bond that happens with the first generation of residents, that’s common. But what has happened at Stevenson Oaks has been extraordinary, this group is deeply connected, largely thanks to Larry’s contributions,” said Matthew Currie, Vice President of Operations.

There is no doubt, these programs, events, committees, and books, each bearing Beck’s finger print will go on to serve the community for generations to come. Just imagine in fifty years time, when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of today’s residents move in at Stevenson Oaks, they’ll keep the trivia game tradition to get to know new neighbors, compose a community yearbook, and flip through the “Who Be Us?” series and wonder, who is this Larry Beck?

Those in the know will answer, “He was the man, the myth, the legend, he was Larry Beck!”