Obituary - Peter W. Beck

Australia lost a luminary of the jewellery industry on 6 December when Peter W. Beck passed away. Peter was the founder of Peter W Beck Pty Ltd, based in Adelaide, Australia's largest privately-owned precious metal refiner and wedding ring manufacturer.

Peter sadly lost his wife of 42years, Ann Beck, on the 8th of September, just a few months before his own passing.

Following are some extracts from Peter’s eulogy, composed by his daughters Carol and Jenni Beck and Ann’s son Greville Ingham and read out by Greville at his funeral…

“Peter was larger than life. He was often heard before seen, his bellowing laugh frequent and infectious. From aisles away at any national or international fair you would know Peter Beck was in the house!

“He was felt before known, having dedicated his life’s effort to building a business within the jewellery industry and for the jewellery industry. No one could possibly doubt Peter’s loyalty, he was fierce in its defence. His business is Australian, through and through.

“He had little tolerance for imports. He saw them as a blight on the growth of an Australian industry. Perhaps he was old fashioned in this, but he was also a visionary. It was just another challenge and challenges were Peter Beck. It drove him to look for ways to compete against cheaper imports, to make our Australian products better. He had a jaw clenching determination to succeed where others have failed.

“Technology and systems, he explored the world for better ways. When I joined the business he was quite clear to me that this was going to remain his domain - so dare not tread on his turf!

“Peter was considered in everything he did. He chose carefully, we often felt like we would die from holding our breath waiting for the next pearl of wisdom, but he also chose bravely. He did many things in Australia before our competitors, bringing in new machinery techniques, developing new IT systems, looking for ways to reinvent ourselves in the industry.

“His philosophy was to always offer help and support, but rarely ever ask for it. He knew the future resided in supporting those who wanted to give it a go. There are so many stories of Peter supporting businesses, apprentices, competitions and industry events. Who remembers the ‘Jewel of Adelaide’?

“So where did that unique man come from? He came from honest beginnings. He was born in Adelaide in 1945, the son of Lorna and William Beck. He was a little bloke, but played rugby union, a fast half back that wasn’t scared of a hit. He grew up in the era of the Shadows, even wore Buddy Holly like glasses Later his musical taste was somewhat tainted, with music like Neil Diamond - the Hot August Night album - all 20 tracks end to end, over and over …

“I could go on his love of motor sport, Bathurst, motorbikes, riding adventures, trips to trade shows, and his dogs. All significant loves of his life, including my mum Ann Beck, who sadly left us in September.

“Peter cut his teeth and fell in love with the jewellery industry working for Engelhard industries. When it closed down in the 70’s he and mate Don Kearvel split the markets that Engelhard covered. Don, the industrial and Peter, precious metals.

“Peter had married my mum in 1979 and they sat down one evening and he proposed a simple plan to her: ‘Ann we have $5000 in the bank - we can either 1/ buy a block of land or 2/ start a business’. The rest is history.”

Peter Beck

A FUSION OF STYLE

From emerging American designer Susana Graul Batlle’s Kingdom 2 collection, a ring with carved chrysocolla azurite, Mandarin garnet and tsavorites in 18ct rose gold.