Richard Nathan Beals

A life well lived.
Dick was born and raised in Miamisburg Ohio. At 18, he moved to Columbus with a small suitcase and tennis racket to attend Ohio State University. The day after he graduated as Chemical Engineer, he married Jane Cook on June 13th, 1953. He was then commissioned as ensign in the Navy during the Korean War, he served on a ship for 3 years in both the Atlantic and Pacific areas.
Dick, Jane and little Dickie moved to Houston Texas, where he worked at Shell Chemical and Celanese Plastics. In 1966, they moved with their four children to Palatine, IL for a job offer at Chemplex. His involvement in building a new facility in Clinton Iowa lead to him becoming the plant manager in 1975. Dick, Jane, Steve and Barb moved to Iowa. For 10 years they lived in that little Iowa town on the Mississippi.
While in Iowa, Dick also joined the board of directors for the chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Clinton Country Club, Library, Rotary, District Council-Boy Scouts of America, Iowa Manufacturing and others.
During his free time, he enjoyed reading, golf, tennis, racket ball, water skiing and driving their 15 ft runabout boat.
Dick and Jane moved back to Palatine and soon after he retired in 1987. He then worked for 5 more years as an independent engineering managing consultant with Motorola as his chief client. The major project was for a newer invention- the flip phone.
Rotary soon became a big part of life for Dick and Jane. They worked together organizing events and programs as he became President, Governor, District Foundation Chairman and then PDG. They traveled around the world to attend yearly Rotary International Conventions. He was awarded many times in the Rotary, among those: Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service. As President, he was recognized for loyal, dedicated, unselfish service and outstanding leadership.
As dotting grandparents, they were extremely fortunate to spend many holidays together. Every summer, each grandchild spent “their week” on their own. Every day was full of activities, shopping, food, and fun.
For about a decade, a Beals family reunion was planned each summer with group pictures, matching t-shirts, scavenger hunts, card games and forever memories made.

The couple took their turn at being snowbirds, spending December in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. This was really a slow-paced life for this couple: a day along the beach, grouper sandwiches, watching the sunset and applauding for a beautiful day.
Survived by his children Richard Beals Jr (Loretta), James Beals (Cheryl), Steven Beals (Mary), Barbara Beals-Elkins (Mike), and sister Alma Schrieber.
He was a grandfather of 6 and great grandfather of 15.
Proceeded in death by this wife Ellen Jane Beals (Cook), sister Martha Mackey, brother John Beals, and granddaughter Jennfer Joy Beals.
Dick and Jane’s ashes will be buried in Miamisburg Ohio this summer with a family lunch to follow. If you would like to donate in their name, please support the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society