Richard Robert "Rick" Bean

Conway, Mass. - Richard "Rick" Robert Bean, 65, of Conway, died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Massachusetts.

He was born in Fitchburg, Mass., on April 27, 1950, the second son of Charles V. Bean and Pauline A. (Leger) Bean. He attended West Point Military Academy and graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in English and the University of Connecticut with a degree in nursing, and was a licensed nursing home administrator. He served in the Peace Corps in Korea and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. His favorite occupation was "house builder."

Rick will be remembered for his extraordinary contributions to each community in which he lived and especially in Conway, where he served on the Board of Health, Finance Team, Green Community, Select Board, Pipeline Task Force, chaired the Energy Committee and was director of Emergency Response. He led the effort for Conway to become a "green" community with local acceptance of improved building requirements. His great gifts of hard work, generosity, good will, humor, reaching out to all those around him in need and his huge spirit will live on throughout the Pioneer Valley, on the tennis courts and wherever people are having fun.

Rick leaves his beloved son, Noah Bean; his brothers, Jeffery Bean and wife, Karen, of Fitchburg and Charles "Chas" Bean and wife, Kathleen, of Estero, Fla.; Noah's mother, Ruth W. Crocker; and many family members and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Gregory.

A celebration of his life will be held in July.

Donations in his memory may be made to: "Trusteeship Institute – Haiti Orphanage," and mailed to Haiti Orphanage Sponsorship Trust, 36 Cedar St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.