GARY BEEMAN

I moved to Orinda in 1960 and met Gary soon after. He was my first friend who was a boy. He was like a brother...a really different brother! He taught me how to fish and hunt; he taught me about birds, dogs and reptiles. We hiked and explored and had so much fun. I could tell him anything and he never judged me. Gosh, I shall miss him so...he was wonderful.

Sorry to hear the passing of Gary
I met Gary in the early 70s when I first started flying hawks
He was good friend and a big influence in the CHC in the early years
I remember one. Time I was up in the bay area a couple years after I had moved to the central valley with my goshawk . I lost my bird and searched the whole week end and had to leave and contacted many people to look for him
after two weeks I thought I would not see it any more I got a call from Gary,He asked if I had...

I was a neighbor of Gary's for 18 years with my first meeting memorable; a beloved falcon landed on my front balcony gazing at me as though I were prey. YIKES! who is this guy? I grew to be very fond of Gary as he was truly one of a kind, generous with his time and expertise in wild life along with wonderful stories of his adventures at the Lafayette Reservoir. He more than anyone I know understood we must all live peacefully with nature.

Gary helped me when I got a Great Horned Owl for my research project. I brought it to Gary's house and Gary helped me install jesses so that I could handle Francis comfortably and safely. We visited many times over subsequent years and enjoyed lots of raptor talk. Other biologists and falconers remember his contribution to Swainson's Hawk surveys in California and his great reputation with elite falconers.

I first met Gary in Orinda in 1949. He was my first friend
there. He taught me about animals, birds and how to build
a really good fort. I can still remember our hikes around the
hills finding, watching and catching all sorts of critters. He
was a real influence in my life in regards to nature and high-jinks. He was one of a kind.

Gary truly was a fascinating man! We enjoyed meeting him when we had raccoon problems in our Concord home, and really enjoyed hearing about all he was doing when he would stop by to have something welded or built for another trek out in the wilderness. He will be missed.

I really appreciated Gary for helping me with a rattlesnake problem. He was definitely one of a kind!

Gary Beeman was a unique wonderful friend. He always had a sly smile, terribly odd birds and animals and a sense of fun. Roseann, James and I had some delightful times together that I cherish.

Gary was unique, a man with a code, and a trip in the field with him showed me more interesting raptors that I had a right to see. His diligence to his craft inspired us to try for the same, though few got there. He was uncommonly generous, and the night he brought his Harris hawk, Shasta, to Halloween for all the kids is still a fresh memory. Our lives are richer for knowing him.