Ronald E. Beckman, 92 of Overland Park, Kan., died Saturday, September 30, 2006 at Gables Assisted Living in Overland Park. Memorial services will be 11:00am Thursday, October 5, 2006 at Christ Lutheran Church, Overland Park, Kan. Memorial contributions to the church. Ronald was born November 22, 1913 in Swampscott, Mass. He grew up in Swampscott, and also lived in Marathon and Bradenton, Fla. He married Marjorie Darline Morrill at Fort Leonard Wood in 1944. She preceded him in death on June 18, 1976. He married Elsie "Ann" Bogner September 2, 1979 in Lee's Summit, Mo. Ronald graduated from Swampscott High School in 1932 and served as chairman of his 25th and 50th high school reunions. He was employed by the manufacturing firm of Stone and Webster in Boston, Mass., and served 18 months as a Civil Engineer in the Army Engineer Corps in the South Pacific, and fought in the battle for Guadalcanal. Following this service, he was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Rolla, Mo. He achieved a B.S. in mechanical engineering from MIT in 1936. Ronald retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in November of 1973. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and the United States Power Squadron. Ronald once raced Jesse Owens in a 40-yard dash at Madison Square Garden in New York, representing the MIT track team. He is survived by his wife of Overland Park, Kan.; two step-sons, John Bogner, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Charles Bogner, Marshalltown, Ia., two stepdaughters, Cathy Winkler, Overland Park, Kan., and Lory King, Stover, Mo. He is also survived by eight stepgrandchildren and eight step-greatgrandchildren, and one cousin, George Witherall, Bradenton, Fla.