Robert Mark Beil

1922 - 2025

Robert "Bob" Mark Beil was born to Hazel Baird and Raymond W. Beil in Tacoma, WA. When he was 3, the family moved to Spokane, WA where Bob attended public schools through high school. The family built a summer cabin on Newman Lake outside of Spokane where they spent summers. At the age of 12, Bob started working part time at his grandfather's (Thomas Baird) lumber mill to earn spending money and at age 15, bought his first boat - a 15' outboard. It was the first of many boats.

After high school, Bob went to the University of Washington in Seattle and pledged ATO in the class of 1940. He studied engineering for two years, then, after a summer of working for an engineering firm in Spokane, decided to change to economics and business. At the U of W, he joined the Naval ROTC. When WWII broke out, he transferred to the V-5 program for Naval Aviation and left the University. The V-5 program lasted 18 months, and in Feb. 1945, he graduated as a Naval Aviator and was commissioned as Ensign in the US Navy.

Married men were not allowed in the V-5 program, so as soon as Bob graduated, he returned to Spokane to marry his fiancée, Amy Marie MacGregor, on March 17, 1945. They traveled to several Naval Flight training assignments, eventually to Miami, Florida, where his final patrol plane crew was formed for overseas duty. Before they could leave, the war ended. He opted to return to civilian life, and they traveled back to Spokane.

Bob first hired on as a mechanic at a local auto firm. A few years later, he ran a small remodeling firm before working for his dad in the retail lumber business (Ray Beil Lumber Co). During this time, Bob flew Navy planes in the reserves at Geiger Field. When the Korean conflict broke out, he was recalled to active duty. Amy went with him. His first assignment was to go through the Naval Justice School to become a legal officer and then to a patrol squadron stationed in Hawaii. After a month or two, the squadron was deployed in the South Pacific. Amy stayed in Hawaii. At the completion of his 2-year tour of duty, he and Amy returned to civilian life in Spokane.

It became apparent that Bob and Amy could not have any natural children of their own, so they first adopted Barbara Ann Beil, then, two years later, Stephen John Beil joined the family. The family enjoyed many camping, skiing, and boating adventures together.

Bob went into the sand and gravel and ready-mix concrete business. Over 10 years, he worked his way up in the company. After a brief job in the Seattle area, the family moved to Eugene, OR, where he worked for another company for 10 years. A two-year stint in the Seattle area followed before Bob, in 1976, bought a company in Albany, OR along with a partner whom he eventually bought out. In the mid-1980s, he bought a second sand and gravel and concrete company, which also included asphalt, located in Stayton, OR. He rebuilt and expanded both companies. In April 1995, he sold both to his largest competitor and retired.

Bob and Amy owned a number of boats - mostly getting larger. In 1997, he bought "Omega" which was a 57' Bayliner diesel cruiser. In 2000, Bob and Amy moved to Mukilteo, WA to take advantage of the great cruising waters of the San Juans and Canada. Bob and Amy sold their last boat in 2016 when they were in their 90's.

Bob was preceded in death by his three younger siblings: Thomas "Bud" Baird Beil, Eloise Estelle Beil Burns, and Sally Rae Beil Pritchard and their spouses. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Amy Marie MacGregor Beil; his daughter-in-law, Kendra Beach Beil; his parents and step father, Howard S. Lease; step sister, Alice Jean Lewis and her husband.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Barbara Beil (Steve Mortensen); his son, Stephen Beil (Trina Johnson Beil); grandson, Keenan Robert Beil (Sydney Beil); step grandsons Justin Johnson and Tommy Johnson (Brittney and her daughter, Tayler); step sister, Barbee Crutcher (Jim Crutcher); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held June 14, 2025 from 3pm to 6pm at the Hilton Garden Inn North Seattle/Everett, 8401 Paine Field Blvd., Mukilteo, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's name may be made to The Salvation Army (Everett), Seattle Humane, Everett Gospel Mission, or a charity of your choice.