David R. Beukelman

1943 - 2022

David R. Beukelman

January 13, 1943 - February 5, 2022

David "Dave" passed away on February 5, 2022. Dave was born to Cora and Verne Beukelman of Harrison, South Dakota on January 13, 1943. He attended a one-room country school, graduated from Corsica High School, attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa before graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in speech language pathology.

In 1964, he married Helen DeWaard, and they had three children: Julie (Jim) Johnson of Pella, Iowa, Jeff (Cynthia) Beukelman of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jonathan (Jami) Beukelman of Denver, Colorado. He had nine grandchildren (Brannon, Seth, Cecily Johnson, Sierra, Drew, McKinley Beukelman, Luke, Graham, Audrey Beukelman) and two great grandchildren (Merrick and Marlowe Johnson).

David received masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He worked at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and then took a position as Director of Communication Disorders at the University of Washington Hospital. After 10 years, he took a job at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. From 1985 to 2020 he was also a clinical researcher collaborator at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.

Throughout his career, he specialized in providing services to people with neurological conditions that interfered with their ability to communicate effectively. He helped initiate the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and designed communication materials and devices for children and adults who couldn't speak.

He was an intellect with a humble heart bent toward serving others. Dave loved Lincoln, the Huskers, his church, volunteering at the Lied Center, and giving big hugs to his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Verne and Cora Beukelman, and his father and mother-in-law, Corstiaan and Katherine DeWaard, and his brother Roy Beukelman.

Celebration of Life Gathering will be Friday, February 11, 5-7pm, Roper & Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 'O' Street.Memorial Service: Saturday, February 12, 11:30 am, Hope Community Church, 4700 S. Folsom Street. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Assistive Technology Center, and Hope Community Church. Livestream and condolences online at Roperandsons.com.