Philip E. Beard

Philip Beard passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024 at the age of 90 in the only place he ever really wanted to be: in the presence of family. Even early in their lives together as parents, his wife of 58 years, Melinda, joked that the entire world outside of his family could disappear in a mass extinction event and he wouldn't notice. That was never more true than in the six years after her sudden passing, when he lived mostly for his dog, Dewey, the daily morning visits from his daughter, Amanda, who served him so beautifully, and for the frequent visits from the rest of us.
Back when his world was wider, Philip graduated from Penn State University with a smaller graduating class than the one with which he had graduated at Altoona High School. In both of those places, he was known for his beautiful, resonant baritone singing voice, which he showed off in high school musicals, and then as a member of Penn State's Thespians. His daughter, Priscilla would follow as a Thespian there 35 years later. He sang in church choirs at Fox Chapel Episcopal Church, and then at St. Andrews in Highland Park for most of the rest of his life, and sang in the Fox Chapel Follies, where he joked that his writer–son, Philip, found new ways to make him look ridiculous every three years. He was also a great lover of classical music and a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra season ticket holder for more than 50 years. Long after he lost the ability to follow the plot of his formerly favorite TV shows, he still loved attending the symphony. If anyone fell asleep at the concert, it was usually the son or daughter who brought him, never Philip himself.
He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and practiced with his best friend and Penn State Phi Kappa Psi fraternity brother, Joseph Schmitt, for over 50 years. His relationship with Joe was his "second marriage" and he never fought with either mate. He proudly passed the firm to his son, Beau, and thereafter never saw either of his sons without asking, "How are things down at the office?" No one worked harder, was more prepared in court, or more respected by his peers than Philip Beard. He was also a born teacher, a skill he used as an adjunct Professor at Pitt Law School, and in his patient mentoring not only of his two sons, but of a generation of Pittsburgh lawyers, whether they were on the same side of the issue at hand or not. He is a past president of the Commercial Law League of America, a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy Lawyers, and a proud Rotarian for decades.
More important than all of that, he was a faultlessly kind and gentle man every single day of his life, and he will be remembered that way by all those who survive him: his children Philip E. Beard, II, Amanda Schaffer (Greg), Beau Beard (Christine) and Priscilla Baker (Jo); his grandchildren Cali Binstock (Matt), Maddy Bruner (Jake); Phoebe Beard, Kaitlyn Schaffer, Hannah Schaffer, Zoe Beard, Nate Beard, Tyler Baker, and Jack Baker; and his great-grandchildren Levi Binstock and Jude Binstock.
Always a quiet man who never wanted a fuss to be made over him, the family plans to have a private memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Philip Beard to Vintage Senior Services at 421 North Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, a senior care facility that was co-founded by his wife, Melinda, over 50 years ago and which continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the family.
Arrangements entrusted to the Weddell-Ajak Funeral Home, Aspinwall.
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