Richard L Beaver

Richard Beaver, a beloved member of our community, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2024, at the age of 84. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, dedication, and service to his family and friends.

Born on June 12, 1939 to Benjamin and Inez Beaver, Richard grew up with his two brothers, Benny and Judd, in Hurricane, West Virginia. He attended Hurricane High School and graduated in 1957. He enlisted in the Army after high school and received an honorable discharge in 1964. He went on to study at Marshall University in West Virginia.

Richard's professional life was marked by his attention to detail and work ethic. He spent his entire career in the automobile business. After the Army, he started his professional career with GMAC, the auto lending arm of General Motors. From there, his creativity and professionalism drew the attention of Ed Morse, who hired him as the General Manager of his newest dealership at the time. Richard's leadership at Bayview Cadillac was instrumental in making the dealership the largest volume Cadillac dealer in the nation for several years, earning many awards and recognition from General Motors for the Ed Morse Automotive Group. Richard was promoted to company vice president as the company grew to be the largest privately held dealership group in the nation. He was Mr. Morse's most trusted advisor and confidant. He retired from the company in 2008, after more than 30 years with the organization. His colleagues remember him as a brilliant mind who always approached challenges with a creative and pragmatic mindset.

Beyond his professional achievements, Richard was a man of great character and warmth. He married his wife Betty Anne in 1992, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams. They enjoyed traveling, riding Harleys together, and sharing gourmet meals at home and while dining out. Richard was blessed with two children, Brent and Rinda, and two stepsons, Richard and Brian. His family was the cornerstone of his life, and he took immense pride in being a devoted husband, father, and later, a grandfather to seven wonderful grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Richard was also an active member of his community. He volunteered at the Community Blood Center of Florida and was a long serving member of the Broward County Executives Association. Both associations benefited from his leadership as Chairman of the Board and President respectively. His generosity and willingness to lend a helping hand made him a respected and cherished figure in Broward County.

In his leisure time, Richard enjoyed boating, traveling, and cheering on his Thundering Herd and West Virginia Mountaineers. He was known for his warm heart, intelligent perspective, and the ability to make everyone around him feel valued and appreciated.

Richard Beaver's life was a testament to the power of hard work, compassion, and integrity. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service to celebrate Richard's life will be held on May 31, 2024, at Baird Case Jordan-Fannin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org/seflorida) or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County (bbbsbroward.org) in Richard's memory.

Richard's legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He will always be remembered as a remarkable man who made the world a better place simply by being in it.