Ronald Lee Beckenbaugh, of Davenport, died on October 2, 2026, at Fieldstone of DeWitt. He was surrounded by family and friends throughout his final days. He is now fully healed, free from pain, restored to glory in heaven with those he loves who went before him.

Ron was born on April 27, 1948, in Woodstock, Illinois, to Clint and Anita. He was Ronnie to his family, the oldest son in a house with an older sister and three younger brothers. He had stories about every one of them, and his siblings always enjoyed quibbling over who played what part in the hijinks.

He married Elaine Krabbenhoft on June 8, 1968. For 58 years, she was the most important person in his life, and he took care of her with a dedication that never wavered. In the last decade, both faced serious health trials but never stopped loving and supporting each other. It was a long goodbye, and they showed what it means to love through both joy and pain.

Ron spent many years at the City of Davenport and Scott County Assessors’ Offices, retiring in 2014. He loved his work and could talk about it for hours. He worked hard so his three daughters could have a good education, books in the house, and every activity they wanted to try. He taught them to stand up for what is right, help people who can’t help themselves, be brave, and always do the next right thing. Ask him a question, and you would get a thorough answer. He loved a meaningful conversation and always shared what he knew and what he thought. He was a good man and the moral compass for our family.

Ron was a longstanding member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He sent his girls to school there, spent years in the back room counting the offerings, and played on the church softball team and umpired games too. Ron loved to be of service to others and enjoyed activity. He spent many weekends helping his father-in-law on the farm. He bowled in multiple leagues and served as secretary/treasurer. He kept the books as diligently as he did everything else. He and his sister, Camille, were captains of the Bix starting line crew for many years, and together they kept things running smoothly.

He loved the Cubs, the Hawkeyes, his cats, golf on TV, Andy Griffith, and a good cowboy show. He enjoyed card games, a round of dice, and a barbecue on the Weber with his family around him. You could find him out in the yard in his Bix 7 hat, mowing, pulling weeds, or raking leaves. He never turned down a large chocolate malt from Whitey’s Ice Cream, a double cheeseburger from Culver's, or pancakes for Sunday breakfast. He also kept fancy little bowls of candy all over the house. Happy to share, but please leave the Mr. Goodbars to him.

Ron is survived by his wife, Elaine; his daughters and their husbands, Michele and Brian Simpson of Bettendorf, Jennifer and Michael Kuehl of Dixon, Illinois, and Rhonda and Jeffrey Nelson of Bettendorf; his grandchildren, Ryan, Jacob, Noah, Isaiah, Logan, and Leah; his sister Camille Schoeberl; his brothers and sisters-in-law Michael and Ludi, and Scot and Linda. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Anita; parents-in-law Edward and Alma Krabbenhoft; his brother Lynn; and his dear friend, Lew Zabel. Those who knew Ron called him fiercely loyal, protective, dependable, and steady. He was all of those things, and to us he was simply the best husband, dad, and grandpa in the world.

The family will be holding a private celebration-of-life service. Memorials can be made to the Humane Society of Scott County to honor his lifelong love of cats.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on his memory page at www.mvcremation. com.