Dale Kenneth Beck
October 9, 2025
Dale was born on February 29, 1952, in Fillmore, Saskatchewan, to the late Thomas Gordon Beck and Kathleen Grace Acker, while the family was living in Tyvan, Saskatchewan. As a leap year baby, Dale took special pleasure in celebrating his real birthday every four years.
Dale is survived by his loving wife, Johanne (née Rousseau) of 46 years; his children, Andrew (Gina), Angela (Norman) and Aaron; and his beloved grandchildren Aria and Haydn. Dale was predeceased by his sister Myrna (Michael) and is survived by his siblings Gordon (Lee), Don (Kathy), Karen and Keith (Cecile) and many nieces and nephews.
Dale and his siblings grew up in Tyvan, where their father bought grain for 18 years. A happy and hectic household saw six children share rooms. They were involved in all kinds of sports and activities. One by one, the older siblings moved out to be on their own. Thomas, Kathleen and the youngest children moved to Qu'Appelle in 1968 where they lived for seven years until Tom retired in 1975.
In the fall of 1969, Dale began studying physics (his first love) at the University of Regina, then the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus. He graduated with a B.A. in 1972. He then switched to the Faculty of Education and acquired a teaching certificate in 1973, followed by a B.Ed in 1974. He taught sciences and physical education in Avonlea, Saskatchewan, from 1973 to 1976, when he was accepted into law school at the University of Saskatchewan.
Dale and Johanne were married on September 1, 1979. They first made their home in Moose Jaw and later moved to Regina in 1984. Dale graduated from law school in 1979, articled at a private firm in Moose Jaw and was admitted to the bar in 1980. He remained with the same firm — eventually named Acton, Wheatley and Beck — until 1984, when he joined the Civil Law Branch of Saskatchewan's Department of Justice, where he would spend most of his career.
In 2009, Dale was appointed Director of the Office of Residential Tenancies and Chair of the Provincial Mediation Board, an appointment he held until retiring on August 31, 2017. Within a few months, he returned to public service as Acting Chief Coroner for Saskatchewan during a review of the Office of the Chief Coroner, serving until August 31, 2018. Dale’s work was always very meaningful to him and never failed to excite and fulfill him. It brought many wonderful colleagues into his and Johanne’s life, many of whom number among their friends. It was also an inspiration to his family — two of his three children followed in his footsteps and are now practicing lawyers.
Outside work, Dale had no trouble finding productive ways to spend his time, having come from a family of putterers. He was always active in the community, especially in athletics. Dale coached sports during his early years of teaching and later coached his niece’s soccer team in the late 1970s. Over the years, he coached, participated in and officiated many sports, including skiing (both downhill and cross-country), swimming, cycling, running and hiking. He loved being on the water — whether paddling canoes or kayaks, racing in dragon boats (sometimes in memorable lime green tights) or sailing. He also volunteered with the boards of Sask Sport, the Canadian Sport Centre, Swim Sask and the Marlins Swim Club.
Dale loved the outdoors and regularly explored the wilderness of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario with both friends and family. Whether paddling through remote lakes, hiking forested trails or setting up camp, he felt at home in nature. One of his proudest achievements was canoeing and camping in the Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park.
Dale and Johanne shared a love of travel. They journeyed extensively both before and after retirement. A long-awaited trip to Australia and New Zealand was cut short by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they made many other memorable voyages. A highlight was a 35-day Oceania cruise that, including air travel, took them around the world. They also explored the Caribbean, Alaska, the Baltics, the Panama Canal, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Dale had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and was curious about many things. His family fondly remember how often he said the word “fascinating.” He was a devoted fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Toronto Blue Jays. He loved playing cards, especially bridge, which he learned from his in-laws, Paul and Jeannine Rousseau. Later, he and Johanne enjoyed playing bridge with their children, Andrew and Angela, a favourite pastime when they were at their home in Ottawa. They began spending about half of each year in Ottawa in September of 2020 to be near their grandchildren.
Dale requested that there be no funeral to mark his passing. His wishes included being cremated and having his ashes spread from a canoe on a beautiful lake in Saskatchewan.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your choice or to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated.
The family would like to thank the staff members of the Saskatchewan MAID Program and of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services for all their kindness.
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Messages of Condolence
Thinking of all those in the family and beyond left with sadness with Dale's passing, but such wonderful memories of a fantastic husband, father, friend, colleague, and for me an uncle. Dale always brought joy, a laugh and interesting conversation to any occasion we met at. I have great memories of him at Beck reunions in Regina and visits to Moosomin Lake (I can attest he lived in or on the water every chance he got). He helped nurtured a love of running in me and I always loved his stories of travel, including on a cruise where they had to run lights out at times and the crew would do practice for potential pirate attacks. Dale was also what I still consider an expert on stars and would teach the various constellations, pointing out and explaining so much in the night sky. Scott Spurgeon ~ Scott Spurgeon
I knew Dale as my high school teacher and then as a roommate when he was in first year law school.As a teacher, Dale clearly had a love and passion for science which was infectious. He was the youngest teacher I ever had and his energy and humour were appreciated.As a roommate, Dale was like a big brother the way he did all the meal planning and cooking while putting in LONG days/nights in law school. I was always pleased to see Dale go on to do well in his legal career. Truly a good guy! My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. ~ Neil McKellar
I am saddened by the news of Dale’s passing though lightened at the knowledge it was to his choosing. The opportunity to work with Dale was a true blessing. He was always kind, generous and open to ideas. The consummate listener, he led the charge in allowing traditional forms of public service to utilize technology to its fullest in achieving the highest quality service delivery & procedural fairness. We truly missed him after he retired but knew increased time with his family and healthy lifestyle was well deserved. A highly respected man in so many ways. ~ Nadine Johnson
I knew Dale through the YMCA and skiing. Dale will be missed. Sorry for your loss. ~ Ray Wolfram
I was saddened to hear the news. We had many dragon boat adventures over the years. He was masterful at distracting the competition by sterning our boat wearing his lime green tights. As we victoriously crossed the finished line he would be quick to let us know that we were “almost adequate”. I was thrilled when he asked me to race with him in the Craven to Lumsden marathon canoe race, but was concerned when it was suggested I wear swim trunks. My condolences to the family. RIP my friend. ~ Byron Cronk
I was saddened by the news. We had many Dragon boat adventures over the years. Dale was masterful at distracting the competition by sterning our boat wearing his lime green tights. As we victoriously crossed the finish line he was quick to let us know we were “almost adequate”. I was thrilled when he asked me to race with him in the Craven/Lumsden marathon canoe races, but was concerned when it was suggested I wear swim trunks. My condolences to the family. RIP my friend. ~ Byron Cronk
I am so sad to hear about your loss and Dale's health struggles in the last few years. Alzheimer's is such a cruel disease.. Dale was a very kind, caring and gentle person - also very wise - and I always enjoyed working or visiting with him during the time I knew him in the Ministry of Justice. He was much too young to lose, but your health is one of the biggest gambles in life as we don't control it and living a good and active life doesn't guarantee a long life. ~ Betty Ann Pottruff
Dale was a good man who will surely be missed. His contributions to justice and the community were many. Our condolences. ~ David Gullickson
I am totally going to miss Dale. We had many adventures paddling. For many years I was the drummer and Dale was the stern. These wonderful times have given me wonderful memories. Thank you Dale ,miss you,❤️ ~ Judy Eisenzimmer
Dear Johanne and family. We're so very sorry to hear of Dale's passing, far too soon. Dale was a wonderful work colleague, much admired by all who knew him. The obituary captured his qualities so well - active, engaged, curious, and devoted to his family. Our deepest condolences on your loss. ~ Heather and Terry Sinclair
Dale was my Pond Scum teammate when we raced at the Club Crew World dragon boat races in Penang, Malaysia. No matter the challenge, Dale was a rock--always calm and never panicked. I am glad we got to reconnect the last time he raced in Victoria. My condolences to his family. ~ Darcy Eggleston
I met Dale when he and I started working at Saskatchewan Justice. We immediately discovered our mutual love of canoeing and outdoor adventures. What an incredible and interesting man he was. He accomplished so much during his life. He was a pretty amazing man. It was always a real pleasure talking with Dale. I am sorry for your loss. Dale will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. ~ Tom Fulcher
Our most sincere condolences to the entire Beck family. We knew Dale through the Regina Marlins Swim Club. He was always eager to share his ideas and knowledge with enthusiasm. He regularly had stories about his kids, and he always spoke of his family with extreme pride. ~ Melody & Cory Conger
Oh, Johane and family. I am so sad to read this news. John and I thought the world of Dale and we considered him such a good friend. I wish we had spent time together through the years. ~ Joan Hansen
My deepest sympathies to Dale’s family. Dale was my teacher in high school. I later reconnected with him at a Scouting function many years ago. May you take comfort in all the wonderful memories. ~ Janet Stevenson
I am so sorry to hear of Dale’s illness and passing away! He was a role model for our Marlin family. Catherine and Brennan loved to dragon boat with Dale in those memorable lime green tights. Joanne and Dale hosted the Marlin families in their home on many occasions. I think of Dale and Joanne (worked with Joanne in the Provincial Lab) often and value the times we spent together. ~ Virginia Marsh
I am sad to hear of Dale's passing. I met him when I articled in Regina and swam at noon at the Y. Dale was very kind ensuring that I felt welcome with the swimming group, and by inviting me for coffee with the weekly Justice lawyer coffee group. ~ Dawn Pritchard