Honoring a Life of Service, Staff Sgt. Travis J. Beck

By Nancy DrapezaApril 3, 2023

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MYER, Va. - On the morning of Nov. 5, 2022, the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel welcomed the family, friends and fellow Soldiers honoring the life and legacy of Staff Sgt. Travis J. Beck of the 151st Legal Operations Detachment. At 40 years old, Staff Sgt. Beck ended his battle with pancreatic cancer on Oct. 10, 2022.

“Staff Sgt. Beck was a dedicated professional who served as an advocate, mentor and role model throughout his 16-year career,” opened Col. Roderick O’Connor, 151st Legal Operations Detachment commander. “The United States Army trusted Staff Sgt. Beck with its most precious resource – the nation’s sons and daughters – and for 16 years, he embraced that every day. Whether it was a kind word to someone having a bad day, or simply serving as a role model for all those around him to emulate. To put it simply, Staff Sgt. Beck cared.”

A son of Gwinnett County, Ga. and loyal Atlanta Braves fan, Beck enlisted in the United States Army in 2006. After 10 years of active duty, he transitioned to the Army Reserve in 2016. Prior to his assignment to the 151st Legal Operations Detachment, Beck served at the Pentagon with the United States Army Defense Legal Services Agency as a paralegal noncommissioned officer. He devoted himself to work for a civil rights law firm, Relman Colfax PLLC from 2017 until his passing.

His military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Medal Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Second Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.

Throughout the service, Beck was honored by his brothers and sisters in arms for his warmth and dedication to others. 1st Sgt. Timothy Marta shared, “He wasn’t just one of my Soldiers, he was one of my friends. He loved taking care of Soldiers, and he never stopped.”

Capt. Bryan Herdliska praised Beck’s dedication, saying “He devoted himself to his fellow Soldiers. He always placed their needs above his own.”

Beyond his service, Beck is remembered for his dedication to his family and his home team. Lt. Col. Heather Herbert, 151st Legal Operations Detachment deputy commanding officer recalled his storytelling during a volunteer task to guard ammunition. “He told me stories about his family, about his deployment; and I spent the rest of guard duty learning more than I ever thought I would about the Atlanta Braves.” He proposed to his wife at a Braves game.

Marta led the final roll call for Staff Sgt. Travis Beck in his honor.

Beck is survived by his wife of nine years, Tracy Beck, and their children Iain, Echoe, and Madelyn; his father and stepmother, Ken and Karen Beck; and his brother and sister-in-law, Justin and Lindsey Beck. He is preceded in death by his mother, Patty Beck.