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Richard Beach Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Beach
Jenn (Denick) Lajeunesse
August 4, 2023
Of all the teachers I had during my time at UMAHS from 89-92, I think of Mr Beach the most. He was the only teacher who didn´t let me skate through. He held me accountable. I had to take "Africa" with him three times before I passed. I didn´t realize until years later, what a service he had done for me. I learned far more than climate, history and geography. I remember he found me on the last day of school my senior year, to let me know I´d finally passed. I don´t remember if I hugged him but I hope I did. Thanks Mr Beach.
HOWARD HUFFORD
May 29, 2014
he was the reason i chose to join the army Howard Hufford Class of 1979
Vickie Cabot Austin
April 30, 2014
Whenever asked the question,"What teacher made the deepest impression on you?" I have always answered RICHARD BEACH. Mr. Beach's class was where I learned to think independently and to challenge myself by standing by our principals and ideals.His impression of Dan Rather has stayed with me all of these years and still makes me laugh at the memory.
Thank you, his family, for sharing him with us. May his family be comforted by the respect and admiration shared by his former students who remember him so fondly.
January 31, 2014
Looking to be in touch with any children or grandchildren of Richard & Margaret-- regarding old photo albums I have. Please contact me. [email protected]
Chris Stratton
September 3, 2013
Deepest sympathies to the family members. What an incredible man Mr. Beach was. Reading these postings rekindled my appreciation for his greatness as a teacher and a patriot. He managed to get a painfully shy and confused young student(me) involved in world politics!. I had him in 9th grade for Recent US History. I'll never forget the Doomsday Clock, Five Minutes Till Midnight and all that Cold War drama.
I actually was thinking about Mr. Beach during a meeting today(I teach in the city) while we were discussing the role of technology in the classroom. I though to myself why should we bother with all of this, Mr Beach had only a pile of papers on his desk and a blackboard. After I left the meeting, I heard the news of his passing. Class of 1984
Robin Lang Dugan
August 27, 2013
Beth, Mary Lee & Doug - I was so sorry to learn of your father's passing. Both of your parents meant a lot to the Lang family. Will always remember all the good times your Mom & sometimes Dad would drive us all to swim practice all those years !! Your Dad was a very unique individual and will be missed by many. He & Pixie & Ed are now in that special place in heaven reserved just for Radnorites.
Cheryl Dolan Griest, UM '77
August 27, 2013
As so many have noted, Mr. Beach was by far the best, most memorable teacher I've had. His class is the only one in which I still clearly remember so many fun, interesting, challenging and thought-provoking discussions. My condolences to the family as we all feel your loss.
Dawn Knoebel
August 26, 2013
I had Mr. Beach as a homeroom teacher- this was a fun way to experience him. He always gave it to you straight, with brutal honestly. I admired him and even though as a student I wasn't aware of all he had accomplished, during college he continued to inspire me with his past and knowledge from his experiences. He didn't just teach about social studies; he taught about LIFE. He was the kind of teacher I strive to be. God Bless his loved ones.
Sabrina Lombardi
August 26, 2013
I had Mr. Beach as a teacher at Upper Merion. One of my fondest memories of his class was when he would open the window and say "Hello world, how the hell are ya" He was a great man. God bless the Beach family.
Joe Kerrigan
August 24, 2013
In 1969, I had US History with Mr. Beach. It may have been his first year teaching at Upper Merion. I though some of his assignments had nothing to do with US History. They had to do with making me who I am today, and changed the path I thought I was on. Thank you, Mr. Beach. God bless you and your family.
Jim & Doriney Seagers
August 23, 2013
Dick I always valued your advice and friendship in the SAR. I know you have given true friendship and joy to so many people. God Bless You
Carol Williams
August 23, 2013
Mr. Beach was the best teacher I had. He made learning fun. I will miss him.
John Myers
August 23, 2013
I give my deepest condolences to Mr Beach's surviving family. Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with us.
I was fortunate enough to take his history class. It was truly amazing to watch him teach! Some students were handled with kids gloves, others he challenged everything they believed in. He constantly adapted how he taught in an effort to reach his students. To make us respond. To make us think. He would confront us on whatever ground we felt comfortable on and then proceed to pull us into new directions. Making us defend and rethink what we know.
In my case, Mr Beach took an average student who was coasting through high school getting B's and taught me how awesome learning is. Maybe not the subject (sorry sir - I still can't stand history!) but the knowledge gained, improving and sharpening my mind. He started me down a path. It led me through college, masters, med school and residency. Now I am teaching med students and residents. I'm not the teacher he was! But I try.
Thank you Sir. You are missed and remembered fondly!
John Myers '89
Mike Fabrizio
August 23, 2013
Mr. Beach you will be missed. You were a great teacher and man. I hope I have as much impact on my students as you did. My condolences to the Beach family.
Ben Townsend
August 22, 2013
Great man; great mentor; great teacher. Mr. Beach was instrumental in helping me understand what matters in life. I will mourn his
passing.
MAJ Jen Kennedy
August 22, 2013
I had Mr. Beach for 9th grade history. What a wonderful man and teacher. Always had a way of bringing out the best in you. I have thought of him often over the years and the memories always bring a smile.
Amy Mohn Rumer
August 22, 2013
Mr. Beach was my favorite Upper Merion teacher. I did everything I could to be in his class. He taught me so much more than what could be found in a textbook. I will forever be thankful for knowing him. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Bill Bissell Class of '91
August 22, 2013
Without a doubt, the best teacher I ever had, he would say I never had him. He taught more the just history, philosophy and sociology, he taught more about life and believing in yourself more than anything. Truly a phenomenal educator!
August 22, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Beach Family. Mr. Beach was a wonderful teacher! I love history because of him and my passion must have rubbed off on my son who begins his first job, as a history teacher, this week. I hope he makes the impact on his students that Mr. Beach did on all of us at UM. Mr. Beach was truly one of the best. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Cheryl Leo Dachille, Class of 1980
Basil Iannone
August 22, 2013
Mr. Beach was a great teacher because he took the time to teach students how to actually think (often times outside of the box). I will always appreciate his efforts and am a better person for having him as a teacher.
Eric Sierra-Franco
August 22, 2013
Mr. Beach's class was one of my very favorite in high school, and I didn't care for too many. He was a very interesting guy with some great anecdotes from his Army experience. My deepest condolences to his family.
Ron Sandor
August 22, 2013
Great Teacher and Man-definitely cared and helped me get back on track in H.S. Was a role model to me and a mentor. Reason I became an educator, as our world needs more people such as Mr. Beach
R.I.P.
Kim Cott
August 22, 2013
Mr. Beach took an interest in his students, he truly cared. He was very kind to me. I remember him meeting with me and telling me to surround myself with the right people. He was a good man.
Carron Mabin
August 22, 2013
I was 17 when I had Mr. Beach and he often made me mad with his strong opinions about the world. He taught me more about life and relationships and people than any other teacher before or since. I am 42 and I remember clear as day his lecture on how once you cross a line in a relationship, you can never go back to what it was before. He warned us to cross lines carefully and mindfully. It made me think in terms of lines and make my choices ready for the changes that were coming. His lecture on healthy marriage also stayed with me. He said in a healthy marriage, both parties should feel like they are in a 60/40 relationship instead of a 50/50. He said you should know in your heart that the other person does just a little bit more than you and you will feel gratitude and try to work harder to keep up your end of the bargain. I thought he was obnoxious and opinionated when I was 17. I know now that I was the obnoxious one and he was wise, worldly and right! Mr. Beach lives on!
Kenneth W. Sperring Jr.
August 22, 2013
What a great person and teacher he was to me from the class of '81.
Karen Kouzmanoff
August 22, 2013
I have wonderful memories of Mr. Beach; he was an awesome teacher (UM Class of 74). My deepest condolences to the family.
Bill Friese
August 22, 2013
Do your good work in heaven now Mr. Beach. Mr. Beach was my history teacher in 1977 at UM. There are not many educators that I remember clearly but he made a huge impact on me and to this day our family speaks of him as being such a passionate and caring part of the faculty there. I remember he was fun, and had a great smile and he pushed us harder than any other teacher not only to learn our schoolwork, but more so taught us to do what is right, to help each other and to be the best we could be. He was memorable! I'll always be thankful to have shared part of my growing years with him!
Beth Ramsey
August 22, 2013
Rest In Peace Mr. Beach! We All Loved You! Blessings And Peace To All Of His Family.
Tom Friese
August 22, 2013
I had Mr. Beach for several classes in 1977-78. He was demanding and required work in his class, but he said his most important tasks were teaching students how to think and learn, and he did just that. While raising my own children and otherwise, I often think about "My Philosophy of Life" which I wrote for one of the classes. The soul searching at the age of 17 had a huge impact on me and helped me maintain moral grounding in the face of later adversities.
But he offered his time and talent outside the classroom as well. When the High School finally decided to support lacrosse as a varsity club sport, the team needed a faculty mentor/supporter. Mr Beach volunteered and even practiced with us, actually persevering through broken ribs resulting from a check against the wall during an indoor gym practice.
Donna Toro
August 22, 2013
Mr. Beach did so much more than teach me about history and philosophy. He challenged me to think and he did it in a way that was disarming but not simplistic. I was fortunate to meet him as a young student and the impression he made upon me helped to form the way in which I teach and challenge my own students and interns. I never forgot you, Mr. Beach and never will. Rest in peace.
Karen Sellman
August 22, 2013
Mr. Beach was a wonderful teacher who really pushed us. He challenged me once to define "manifest destiny", and I wish I could have done it and made him proud! I also wish I had known of his incredible life while I was in his class,.....
Sincerely,
Karen Hatman Sellman
class of 1980
Maura Buri
August 21, 2013
Mr. Beach was very loved, kind and caring as well as a wonderful teacher. I was fortunate to run into him a few times over the years. Rest in peace.
Paul Cook
August 21, 2013
He always related stories from his own rearing. "Hello Richard" sticks out in my mind. His mother was an influence on him and he relayed that to us. What an amazing person. The way he treated us like human beings and not "snot nosed kids" was memorable. I'll never forget that man.
Brian Macias
August 21, 2013
What a great man and teacher. I have the best memories.
Brian Macias
August 21, 2013
What a great man and teacher. I have the best memories.
Brian Macias
August 21, 2013
What a great man. I have the best memories.
Eileen Gallagher
August 21, 2013
I'm so sorry to hear this news. Mr. Beach was a fantastic teacher. Sending my thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Mark Asteris
August 21, 2013
Mr. Beach was, by far, the greatest teach I ever had. No teacher, from K-Phd, came close to impacting my life the way he did. His effect reached beyond the classroom to nearly all other areas of my life. Truly, a great teacher and a great man.
Randy Bennett
August 21, 2013
Outstanding educator and an even better human being. My condolences to his family.
Michele (Adelman) Niec
August 21, 2013
He was a great teacher and made a difference in my life. Blessings to his family.
Thomas Touhey
August 21, 2013
Mr. Beach was a great teacher and friend. His mentorship was defining in my personal and professional life and his many lessons in both history and personal character are still relevant to me. My deepest condolences.
Nicole Labelle Haney
August 21, 2013
Mr. Beach was the best teacher when I was in high school. When I was in 10th grade my grandmother died. I was so upset he took me in the hall as I sobbed he told me to remember all good times my grandmother and I had together and do your absolute best in school.
jennifer hanahan
August 21, 2013
I am so very sorry. Blessings and prayers to your family. Mr Beach was so loved and touched many lives and hearts. With sincerest condolences. Jennifer Scutta Hanahan
Joan London
August 21, 2013
So sorry to hear of Mr. Beach's passing. He was a patriot and a great teacher. He will be missed
Stephanie Lotti
August 21, 2013
Mr. Beach was a fabulous teacher, and I went on to major in Sociology in college after I took his Sociology class in high school. I knew about his military honors, but I did not know about his role at the University of Mississippi.
Deepest condolences to his family; the world has lost a wonderful man. He was indeed unconditionally kind.
Kristen Wilson
August 21, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. I LOVED Mr. Beach! He was an amazing teacher. I barely remember most of my experiences from high school but distinctly remember the fun I had in Mr. Beach's classes! I am really sorry to hear this news.
Jessica Hickman Schneider
August 20, 2013
Mr. Beach - you were a great teacher & an American treasure. We are lucky to have known you. I send thanks to your family for sharing him with us at Upper Merion Area High School.
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