Gwinnett Daily Post

WINDER -- When Chip Thompson took office as Winder's mayor, he met with City Administrator Bob Beck to talk about the future.

Beck, he said, already had pages of documents ready for a mayor willing to work to revitalize the city.

"Our vision for Winder was very much the same," Thompson said of Beck, who died Tuesday. "Together, we've worked very hard. ... It's going to be hard to replace him."

Together, the two worked to study the downtown and began a streetscape project and a housing initiative.

Beck, an accountant who was valedictorian of his class at the University of Georgia, worked for the city for a decade, including five years as finance director.

He was driven and meticulous, Thompson said, building the city reserves for a rainy day, such as the current financial situation.

The mayor promised to work hard to realize Beck's dreams for the city. For now, City Clerk Sabrina Wall will perform the administrator duties.

Beck will be remembered in a funeral ceremony at 4 p.m. today at Winder First Christian Church.