Polymer Valley Chemicals mourns the loss of President Michael Beck, III

Akron, OH – Michael Richard Beck III, 47, devoted husband, father and uncle, passed away December 24, 2022 at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland after a courageous battle with an extended illness.

He was born May 19, 1975 in Youngstown, OH to Mr. Michael R. Beck, Jr and Karen (Zeller) Beck (deceased). A lifelong resident of Akron, Ohio he attended Case and St. Sebastian Elementary schools and Walsh Jesuit High School. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1997.

Michael is survived by his wife of over 11 years, Kim (Sweet) Beck and two sons, Michael R. Beck IV and Brayden C. Beck of Akron. He is also survived by his father Michael R. Beck, Jr. and stepmother Brenda Beck of Akron, sister, Kristin C. (Scott) Clark of Bath and brother, Sean P. (Melissa) Beck of Akron; stepbrothers Brian (Emily) Pier of Chicago and Gregg (Nicole) Pier of Cleveland; brother-in-law Chris (Danielle) Sweet of Navarre, FL; Aunt Priscilla Beck and Aunt Maureen (Peter) Zeller, both of Girard, OH. He also leaves several nieces and nephews, Mia and Ryan Clark, Evelyn and Grace Beck, Katelyn, Ashelyn and Ray Sweet, Anthony and Gabby Balmer and Chloe Pier. He will be sadly missed by cousins Laura Kutsko and Greg (Stephanie) Kutsko, Christine (Jim) Papa and Timothy (Abigail) Zeller and many dear friends.

Michael was loved by all who knew him and will be remembered for his quiet leadership, generosity and kindness. Michael was a loving husband, a doting father who loved nothing more than spending time with his two boys, and proud uncle.
He was President of Polymer Valley Chemicals, Inc., where he worked for 25 years, a Trustee of the Beck Family Foundation, member of Portage Country Club, the American Chemical Society Rubber Division, Ohio Rubber Group and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Mike loved playing every available sport as a youngster and lettered in football at Walsh Jesuit High School. He took even more joy in his sons’ youth sports and was actively involved with their soccer, t-ball, swimming and flag football teams. He was a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan, attending games with family and friends as a season-ticket holder. He also enjoyed supporting and attending games of the Cleveland Guardians, Akron Zips Football & Basketball, Akron Rubberducks and Walsh Jesuit Football.
Mass of Christian Burial was 9:30am on Friday, December 30, 2022 at St. Sebastian Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron. Internment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery, 100 E. Waterloo Rd., Akron, OH 44319. Friends called at Walsh Jesuit High School Chapel, 4550 Wyoga Lake Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224 on Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 3 to 6pm. The family requests that memorials be made in Michael’s name to the Christ Child Society of Akron, PO Box 5855, Akron, OH 44372; the Beck Family Foundation, 1872 Akron-Peninsula Rd, Akron, OH 44313.; or the St Sebastian Foundation 476 Mull Ave., Akron, OH 44320.

The family also expresses immense gratitude to his doctors and nurses at University Hospitals in Cleveland and Sharon Center for their care and to Scott & Kim Kerekes and family for their unending help and support through this difficult time.