John Roger Beers

1943 - 2021

New London - John Roger Beers, 77, of New London, passed away Jan. 19, 2021, from complications related to Parkinson's disease. A brilliant environmental litigator for three decades in the San Francisco Bay Area, he moved to New London in 2006, to dedicate himself to painting and drawing. Roger made diverse and lasting friendships and left the natural world better protected.

Raised in Waco, Texas, Roger majored in philosophy at Baylor University and graduated from Harvard Law School, magna cum laude. As an attorney, he took on ground-breaking lawsuits on behalf of numerous environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council, on a wide range of issues including nuclear, clean water, coastal and wildlife preservation and public use of federal land. His clients included cities, towns and state and local governments. He authored books and articles on environmental law; and for his work, received numerous awards including the Sierra Club's William O. Douglas award for "outstanding use of the legal process to achieve environmental goals."

But his true passion was always painting. On a brief visit, Roger fell in love with New London and the possibility of being able to paint full time there. Within months, he and his partner Helen Sandalls moved there from San Francisco in early 2006. He soon became an elected artist at the Mystic Museum of Art and the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts. His work won numerous awards in group shows throughout New England and was featured in two recent three-artist shows: "The Contemporary Scene" (Mystic Museum of Art, 2018) and "In Your Face" (Hygienic Gallery, 2020). He painted until the end of his life, saying that he didn't have Parkinson's when he was painting. His work remains online at rbeers.myportfolio.com.

Known for his quick wit, Texas sayings, good manners and his deep and genuine interest in those who were part of his life, Roger will be dearly missed by the many friends and family he leaves behind. Roger is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Beers, her husband Andrew Robichaud; and Roger's grandson Abe of Watertown, Mass.; his brother Paul and his wife Heather Beers of Pine Grove, Calif.; his beloved partner of two decades, Helen Sandalls and her son Alec Leshy of New London; his former wife Kathryn Oliver of Tiburon, Calif.; and his grandson Xavier Eaton, son of Roger's late son, Samuel Haley Beers of Mill Valley, Calif.

Plans for a memorial service are in progress. To receive updates or to share a memory or story, please email rogerbeersmemorial@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Roger's name to "expressiones," an imaginatively effective organization that promotes the arts in Southeastern Connecticut schools (expressiones.org). Byles Memorial Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.