John van Beuren

van BEUREN, JOHN ARCHBOLD died on the 23th of December in Middletown, Rhode Island. Born in New York City, in 1932, to Archbold van Beuren and Margaret Plumer Zeigler, Archie (as he was known) attended St. Bernard's School in the City and St. Alban's School, Washington D.C., before graduating from the Brooks School, Andover, Mass., in 1950. He attended Yale University, graduating in 1954, and subsequently served in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corp. Following his military service, he earned an MBA from Columbia University, and pursued a successful career in private equity and investment management. In 1972, inspired by a lifelong passion for architecture, he enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania and received his Masters in Architecture. He will be remembered most notably for his extraordinary philanthropic vision, humble spirit, and charitable gestures for which he sought no accolades. Those who knew him best valued his sage counsel and keen intellect. His enduring contributions and community leadership are best described by his dedication to the public and private institutions of Rhode Island. He served on the Board of Directors of Fleet Bank, the Naval War College Foundation, St. George's School, was head of the Investments Committee for Newport Hospital, and a Governor of Lifespan. In 1986, with his wife Happy, he established the van Beuren Charitable Foundation. Through the Foundation he put forward his vision of public service. The Foundation became the largest contributor to the Newport Hospital Foundation; the driving force behind the creation of the Trinity Landmark Preservation Fund; an initial investor in the Aquidneck Land Trust; and funder of the Chair of China Studies at the Naval War College. His lifelong love for architecture was demonstrated by his support of all Newport's historic buildings and sites. In 2013, in recognition of his untiring dedication to serving his community and his country, he was presented with the Navy Meritorious Public Service Award by Admiral Jonathan Greenert, United States Chief of Naval Operations. Beyond his civic commitments, his leisure activities were informed by his love of the outdoors, and his intellectual curiosity. He was an avid sportsman, particularly in fly-fishing, field shooting, and golf; an ardent consumer of history and current events; and a lover of dogs. Most recently, he chose to spend time in Boca Grande, Florida. Beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, Archie van Beuren is survived by his wife Happy; his sister, Marilla van Beuren; his three children, Barbara van Beuren, Archbold Dorrance van Beuren, and Andrea van Beuren; his grandchildren, Alexander Hill Glascock, Adrianne Glascock, Archbold Victor van Beuren, Andrew Hill van Beuren, Ainsley Dorrance Kass, Fiona Sarah Kass, and Lucian Evan Kass. A memorial will be held in January, the date to be announced. Donations in his memory may be made to the Naval War College Foundation and the Newport Hospital Foundation, Newport, Rhode Island.