Victor Beck Sr. 1941-2022

Victor Paul Beck, Sr. renowned Diné silversmith, respected community leader, and beloved father passed away on February 18th, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. Raised in Pinon, Arizona, Victor was the council delegate for his hometown chapter of Piñon on the Navajo Reservation. He was instrumental in the bringing and building of Piñon high school and his family has since been a huge presence throughout the community. As an artist, Victor accumulated many prestigious awards. Beck was described as a master jeweler and an “Arizona Indian Living Treasure,” Beck will be remembered as one of the great Native American artists, dedicating almost 50 years to his craft and mastery of contemporary silversmith work. His late wife Eleanor Beck, who passed six years earlier in 2016, was also a silversmith and for much of their lives together they attended native art shows across the country while simultaneously raising their three children.

Beloved by all who knew him, Victor was laid to rest in his hometown of Piñon, Arizona on Monday, February 21st. Victor was 80 years old when he passed away. He is survived by his children, Kehazbaa, Nanibaa with her husband Andrew, Victor Jr, and his grandson, Nathan.

Victor was a person who took great pride in sharing his Dine culture. As a Dine' (Navajo) man, he identified himself as a member of the Manygoat clan, and born for the Salt (Ashii) clan. He credited his parents, Clifford and Esther Beck, with guidance to use his cultural beliefs to find his path in life. He believed the longevity of his nearly 50-year career may be due to the clean, simple, lines found in his bolos and buckles. Often, people describe his work as contemporary, elegant classic pieces such as his limited edition gold coral necklace, bracelets, and his side inlay rings.

Amazingly, Victor happened upon his jewelry making while taking a required course to fulfill his ceramics study in 1975. Fortunately, Victor always seemed to have good opportunities lead onto ways. Next, came an internship with the Museum of Northern Arizona, who in conjunction with Northern Arizona University, offered him an internship in silver and metalsmith. After his intern, he was offered a scholarship to attend the State University of New York In New Paltz. There he learned the techniques he now uses in his jewelry making.

Besides being fortunate, Victor also led a prayerful life. He has an assignment to “design and execute a gift for the Holy Father, his Eminence, Pope Paul VI.” He said the idea to design the Rosary came to him several weeks before the deadline. Today, this Navajo version of the Rosary is presently at the Vatican in Rome, Italy

Victor enjoyed creating his jewelry and having them recognized as a “Beck Bolo, a Beck Buckle, or a Beck necklace." He thought other artists should draw upon their own talent to create individual designs solely distinctive to them.

Victor won many prestigious awards and he has been written up in numerous publications. He had been honored with the Ted Charveze Memorial Award, Best of Division, and Best of Classification in Jewelry from the Heard Museum. He cherished the May 2003 Arizona Highways photo shoot with his then one-year old son, Victor Jr, and was selected as an Arizona Living Treasure in October 2003 for his contribution in preserving his culture through his artwork.