Richard E. “Dick” Beach, former Enid resident, was born May 31, 1924 to Earl and Mildred (Smith) Beach and died February 28, 2016 at his home in Marcellus, Michigan, at the age of 91.
Dick graduated from Kalamazoo High School in 1942 and joined the US Army, which stationed him in Germany during WWII. After his discharge, he graduated from Western Michigan University in 1949. He began his career with Upjohn Pharmaceuticals which brought him to Oklahoma in 1953. Then, he worked for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for approximately 30 years before his retirement. Later in life, Dick moved to Michigan where he lived on Big Cedar Lake in Marcellus.
Dick married Mary Ellen Gifford and had three daughters, Suzanne, Diane and Julie. Later, he married Patricia Bontsema, who had three children of her own, Scot, Penny and Peter (deceased).
While in Enid, he was a member of Ambucs, Big Hat Club, Quail Hunt Club and the First Presbyterian Church. In Marcellus, he was on the Board of Cedar Lake where he served as Area Representative and enjoyed working on the Water Purification Board. Dick was also a member of Rotary Club and represented Marcellus on numerous trips to the National Rotary Convention.
Preceded in death by his parents, Dick is survived by his wife, Patricia, of the home; daughters, Suzanne Summers and husband, Randy; Diane Beach; Julie Beach; Scot Bontsema; Penny Hazen and husband, David; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, brother, Tom Beach and cousin, Sally Butler Youngman.
At his request, Dick donated his body to science as that was his last chance to be in medical school. A memorial service will be held at the end of May in Marcellus, Michigan. Local arrangements are through Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.
Memorial donations can be given through Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home to Enid SPCA.
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