After a long and valiant battle with cancer, David (Dave) John Beckman died peacefully at his home in Austin, TX on Dec. 21, 2020. He was 59 years old.
Dave was born in Akron, OH, and grew up in Lansing, MI, as one of four boys. Dave attended Sexton High School, a decorated athlete in both pole vaulting and football. Dave played both quarterback and defensive back his senior season, but his love was defensive back as his passion was to make the impact tackle and interceptions. Dave was the Lansing City Champion in pole vaulting.
After graduating high school in 1980, Dave headed to Texas for unlimited opportunities and of course, hunting and fishing. Dave first landed in Houston, selling insurance. Dave’s gift-of-gab suited him well in this venture. Midnight tennis was a new hobby for Dave in those years.
Dave then relocated to Austin, which he loved. In his early years living in Austin, Dave was living in a ranch house, building up a kennel of dogs (Pointers) for hunting. At times, Dave would have a dozen dogs. Dave would guide bird hunts with these dogs with friends, clients and for business. Dave’s love for hunting dogs carried through his entire life.
Dave then turned his focus to business. Dave was truly a self-made man. After spending years learning by doing, he founded DJB Systems, a very successful Austin based company specializing in security and fire alarm installations. Dave devoted his life to his work, and the people that worked for him, but his great passion was hunting and fishing with friends and family. Dave loved the outdoors and sharing it with others by taking them on various outings.
Dave enhanced his fishing experience by purchasing a house on the gulf, and loved fishing for redfish and striped bass, and gigging for flounder. All day/night fishing adventures were common for Dave, and enjoyed by all.
Dave’s love for hunting yielded a long and varied list. Hunting for deer on leased land with his trailer was a favorite yearly outing, with several family and friends included. Spending days with Dave on a hunt, and in camp, always led to a memorable time. Dave shot several trophy deer and proudly displayed them in his home. Dave also had successful hunts for elk, Pronghorn antelope, Bighorn sheep, and wild boar. He also took pride in his gun collection.
Dave had an infectious sense of humor, was the life of the party, and loved to tell stories of his adventures. Dave’s story telling ability, and his injection of his humor into those stories, was truly special. Dave also loved cooking for others, whether it was wild game from a trip or just a home cooked meal for those he loved.
Dave was married and divorced twice, and was blessed with two sons, Brennen and Isaac, whom he deeply loved. Dave spent the last five years of his life with his partner, Monica Blackwell. Monica helped Dave tremendously as his health declined. She, along with Dave’s three brothers were with him when he passed away.
Dave is survived by his mother Constance Havens and his father Charles Sr. (Jo) Beckman, his three brothers Charles Jr. (Sheila), Bryan (Kathleen) and Kevin (Carol), sister Nicole (Ben) Klok, nieces and nephews (Rachel, Shayna, Josh, Sarah, Michael, Anthony, Gavin and Andrew), Aunt Jean Gardner and Aunt Pat (Dan) Hess, Uncle Denny (Ann) McCausland and many cousins. Because of Covid, a service will be planned in 2021 when it is safe.
Dave will be truly missed and always remembered.
If you choose, donations in Dave’s name may be made to Austin Hospice.
