James W. Beach

First of all I want to express my sympathy to Mrs. Beach and thank her for sharing Mr. Beach with us these many years. No words can adequately describe the man's warmth, talent, and generosity.

It's been years since I've seen him... mostly relying on annual holiday cards to stay in touch... but that doesn't mean that I don't think of him daily. I have a habit of singing a lot and not just in the shower. Every day, whether singing along with the radio during my commute or humming to...

Dear Mrs. Beach: I'll always remember your husband as "full of life". He epitomized John 10:10! What a great legacy and personal challenge to leave all his students (I attended the Schuylkill Campus from 1976-1977).
May you smile while remembering so many joyous moments with your best friend. May the Lord uphold you in the palm of His hand, and may He comfort you with the thought of our future hope in reuiniting with our saved loved ones again.

I was greatly saddened to hear of Mr. B's passing. My two years with him at Schuylkill Campus (1975-77) were among my finest memories of college. His enthusiasm for music, friends and life in general was wonderful, and he helped me learn how to better appreciate music. We reconnected many years later via annual exchanges of holiday greetings, and it was clear that he never lost that love of life and good friends. He will be greatly missed. My condolences, Mrs. B. Sincerely, "Chet"

What a great man and excellent teacher! How did he do it? Somehow Mr. Beach always made us feel so good about our singing. So much laughter and good times. We marveled at his passion for history and architecture and all kinds of music. And who among us in the Schuylkill Chorale didn't pray we'd find a partner to share a devoted life as Mr. and Mrs. Beach did? May "flights of angels" sing him to his rest.


Schuylkill campus 1967-69

Dear Mrs. Beach,

It was with great sadness, I read about Mr. B. passing away. He was one of those special people that will remain forever in the hearts of all he came in contact with.
I will remember his energy, kindness, and fun-loving spirit.
Take comfort in knowing that he will always be fondly remembered by the thousands of students who had the honor of being in his company for a time.
God Bless and Keep You Now and Always,
Carl George Joseph Simchena I

Dear Mrs. Beach: I have fondly remembered Jim over the last 39 years since my Schuylkill Campus days. While I didn't have time to participate in the choruses he ran, I still to this day " know the words" and the tunes to all the Penn State songs. Those that didn't have the benefit of of Mr. Beach smiling and singing out his joy of music have lost so much.I hope to some day join in his heavenly chorale where he's the one directing the angels !

Mrs. Beach, Just a few words to express my sincere condolences at the passing of a great chorale director, singer, person, and leader. Mr. Beach made a very positive impression on my life at PSU Schuylkill as i was in the chorale with him. He always helped me out greatly and I will miss him dearly. He and yourself are such wonderful people and I personally know he is now in a better place and I wish you health and happiness living with his memories for the rest of your life. It was my...

Dear Mrs Beach,
I was so saddened to hear the news about our "beloved" Mr. Beach.
You both touched my life in so many ways. I feel so privileged to be able to say that I was able to sing under Mr. Beach's direction in the Schuylkill Chorale. He was a wonderful teacher and a wonderful man. He gave such joy, happiness and above all, smiles to all of us. Because of him, I have kept a love of music in my life to this day and will always. I know that he is up in heaven with the choir...

There are so many of us who are better people for being Mr. Beachs's students. I also remember all the words to the Penn State fight songs and am able sing the alma mater because of being a member of the Schuylkill Chorale, and that's all because of him. Mrs. Beach, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and we will all remember the shadow of his smile.
The Lord bless you and keep you James W. Beach.