Bruce Beebe Obituary

Bruce A. Beebe

November 8, 2023

Bruce A. Beebe of Lompoc died Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the age of 82. Starbuck-Lind Mortuary, directors. Starbucklind.com

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Published by Lompoc Record on Nov. 22, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Beebe

Sponsored by Starbuck-Lind Mortuary - Lompoc.

10 Entries

Abby

January 1, 2024

Bruce had always been an adventurous person. He found himself on a cruise ship that led him to Vietnam where he teach English. I met him during my 7th grade when he stayed at my house during his time in Vietnam. This would eventually evolve into a friendship that spanned many years. He became a part of my family and a dear friend to all of us.

Bruce, a former science teacher, and I shared a common passion for biology. Our bond strengthened as we took long nature walks together, where he would point out and explain various plants and creatures we encountered along the way. I still hold very fond memories of us sitting on my family sofa and watching animal documentaries together. Bruce not only enriched my scientific knowledge but also played a pivotal role in improving my English skills. He joined my family on trips and even visited my family's hometown. Our adventures together extended beyond the borders of Vietnam when we came to the US on a summer trip.

During his time as an English teacher, he was very dedicated. Despite the scorching summer heat, he still took the bus and walked to a local high school to teach English. His dedication and resilience left a lasting impression on me. I went on to major in Biology at the high school where Bruce taught in Vietnam.

As I pursued my college education in the United States, I revisited Bruce during my freshman year winter break. Little did I know that it would be our final meeting. Bruce, with his kindness and knowledge, had always been a great teacher, offering encouraging words and seeing the best in everyone. He even took on the role of Santa Claus in a local setting in his small town.

His impact transcended borders and time, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, knowledge, and kindness that I will forever carry with me.

Jim and Nadine Riley

November 29, 2023

Bruce Beebe: Science teacher extraordinaire. He taught at VMS teaching not only science but but also including the hazards of global warming and the importance of recycling in the 70's and 80's. He was ahead of his time. He practiced what he preached as he often to student on field trips exposing them to the natural world. He also spent many summers traveling to Alaska, Canada and National Parks and brought what he learned to his classroom to share with his students. He was a respected and popular staff member during his 30 plus years at VMS. The Riley family enjoyed Bruce's friendship with many dinners and activities together. He was a great friend.
During the latter years of his life Bruce seemed to limit contact with other and appeared to need more time to himself. Bruce will be anchored in our memories. Jim and Nadine Riley

Bob Forinash

November 29, 2023

I had the pleasure of knowing Bruce as a fellow teacher at Vandenberg Junior High School. Our friendship developed over our many years both at VJHS and in social life. He was a gentle kind guy that was an extremely good teacher with kids. He was especially caring with his parents. He will be missed dearly. May his memory be eternal.
Respectfully, Bob Forinash

Bruce, at bottom right , with Paul Coski, Jana Hunking, and Derrick Wong, all teachers at VMS.

Jana Hunking

November 27, 2023

I met Bruce in 1969, when I came to Lompoc as a Science teacher. We both ended up at Vandenberg JrHS/VMS for over 30 years, teaching Science. Bruce usually taught 7th grade Life Science, and Environmental Science- a new course at the time. The students loved Mr. Beebe, and he loved teaching and getting to know his students.

He took students on field trips, of which two of them I helped chaperone. One was a camping trip to Mt. Able, where we had to trek through unexpected snow near the top, which ended up fun for all, but we all got cold feet!

Another student field trip was to the Oil Platform Holly, where all of us had to transfer from a barge that crossed the ocean to the platform, by swinging onto the lower deck by a thick rope! It was very exciting, and could not have been safely done, if the ocean wasn't so calm that day, with only 3 foot swells. I am sure none of Bruce's students will forget those trips, or their wonderful Science teacher.

Bruce was my good friend who loved plants and animals, and people, and a good adventure! I found him to always be kind and pleasant to all, in his quiet manor. I will miss him!

Tran Family from Vietnam

Planted Trees

Dick and Janet Shiers

November 25, 2023

Bruce was a friend and coworker. We valued his skill in inspiring our children in the science field.

Gerard St Jean

November 25, 2023

I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Beebe as my 7th grade bio/science teacher.
His kind, knowledgeable, and generous spirit of adventure made everyone he came in contact with a better person.
I know the "ripple effect" the this man had on all of his students continues...
I read Peg's description of some of his amazing adventures with a huge smile and true fondness.
May God grant him peace.
The Gerard St Jean family

Peg Beebe

November 24, 2023

By all accounts, Bruce Beebe was a born adventurer, heading out on his own at age 3 (unbeknownst to his soon-to-be-desperate parents) in his hometown of Astoria. His mother remarked that when he was running with a pack of neighborhood kids, he'd be the one trailing at the back with a stick in hand, turning over rocks and poking into bushes to better explore the habitat.

Bruce's curiosity and love of nature led him to earn a degree in biology at Oregon State University. Here he met a kindred spirit, Ray Miller, who became his best friend and travel companion during and after college years. The two explored the Australian outback, New Zealand, Europe and remarkably, the Mackenzie river in the Northwest Territories of Canada (by canoe, starting at the Great Slave Lake and ending more than 1000 miles later at the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean). The pair canoed down a large stretch of the Mississippi river as well as the Missouri river starting at its source. Bruce also solo hiked and biked throughout the US; early in his teaching career he took a leave of absence and adventured widely, ending his time away by pedaling a 10 speed bike while wearing a pack on his back (no panniers) from Florida to California. Wherever he went, he made friends and often became friends with their families so that over the years, he had a vast network of people he loved to visit and who came to visit him.

Bruce was employed by the Lompoc Unified School District for 34 years, primarily teaching 7th grade science at Vandenberg Middle School. He took students on field trips to local ponds, sea shores as well as to more remote sites where condors were seen taking flight from rocky perches. He also sponsored a nature club that went on weekend outings.

During our 15 year marriage, Bruce introduced me to travel. Our most adventurous trip was seven months long and included considerable planning, two bicycles, a leave of absence from work and around the world plane tickets. The majority of our nights were spent in a tent, often in campgrounds but sometimes in a farmer's field. We biked in big cities and along lonesome roads. Another memorable experience was collecting wildlife data while camping for several weeks on an island in Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez ran aground and spilled 11 million gallons of oil.

After retiring, Bruce hiked the Appalachian trail (2190 miles) in one long season, with the exception of a section in Maine, which he completed several years later. He went on to hike the Florida Trail (1500 miles) and later the Oregon stretch of the Pacific Crest trail (455 miles).

Bruce traveled to and throughout India - a challenging country to navigate. His fundamental curiosity about people and what they could share about their homeland inevitably allowed him to settle in and get to know people and places the average traveler would never see.

In his 70s, Bruce bought an electric bike, drove to Vancouver, B.C. and biked across Canada then pedaled to Maine to visit a nephew.

He grew a full, white beard, bought a Santa suit and sat as Santa for several seasons at Sears in Santa Maria.

In 2015 Bruce traveled to Vietnam and lived with a family for half a year. He hit his stride here - the family had three children who adored him and he was given a job teaching English to a group of young computer programmers who worked with the children's father. Bruce came and went to Vietnam for several years and was considered to be a beloved family member.

I remember Bruce as enthusiastic, thorough, kind, sincere, generous, caring and humble. He never bragged about his accomplishments. He was always willing to listen to a good story without taking over yours with one of his own. He was a remarkable man!
Peg Beebe (Former Spouse)