Rev. Robert Gene Beard

Cuba- Rev. Robert G. “Bob” Beard “Retired Methodist Minister” 

 Robert G. Beard formerly of Cuba and the Pines of Olean passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Olean General Hospital following a brief illness. 

 Bob was born on January 16, 1935, in Lafeyette, IN., and was the son of Millard E. and Anis F. James Beard. On June 22, 1958, at Cuba First Baptist Church he married, Sandra Ann Arzberger, who predeceased him on March 2, 2021. 

 In the 1940s his family moved to Black Creek and settled on a small dairy farm where they raised registered Jersey Cattle. Bob attended Cuba Central School and graduated in 1953. While in school he was active in many sports such as basketball, baseball, and track. He enjoyed 4-H and showed his cows where he earned many awards. After graduation he worked various jobs including Cuba Cheese. he enlisted in the National Guard in December 1955 where he became a helicopter mechanic stationed in Japan. Bob was honorably discharged in November of 1957. After marrying Sandy, the couple moved to San Bernadino, CA where Bob was employed at Boeing in Riverside California. A short time later they moved back to NY, and he worked as an engineer on the Niagara Power Project. At the end of this project the couple moved to Milford, CT where Bob worked at Sikorsky helicopter and AFCO Lycoming. While employed there he helped build the helicopters for President John F. Kennedy. In early 1971 Bob felt called to the ministry and entered Gordon College in Wenham, MA. While there he worked as a campus janitor and Supervisor. Bob graduated with a BA in Biblical and Theological studies in June of 1975. He entered Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA in the Fall of 1975 he was also pastoring at the First Baptist Church in Mendon MA where the family lived. Bob graduated from seminary With a Master of Divinity (MDIV) degree in June 1978. The family moved to Illinois where Bob was Ordained January 7, 1979, at Berwick Baptist Church in Berwick, IL. Bob served 2 American Baptist Churches in Illinois and 1 in Iowa. In 1990 Bob became a United Methodist minister serving many churches in Iowa and NY; he fully retired in 2020. Along the way he also served as Chaplin for several police, fire departments, and hospitals. Bob was a past member of the 4-H Club, Lion’s Club, American Baptist Church (ABC), the United Methodist Church (UMC) Iowa Annual Conference and the American Legion.

 Bob is survived by his daughter, Kathleen A. (Terence) Hays of Oneota, two granddaughters, Phoenix B. (Luthaya) Beard of Friendship and Courtney M. (Elijah Sullivan) Hays of Albany, a sister Ethel Simon of Lafayette, IN., a brother James (Jessie) Beard of Zanesville, OH., and several nieces and nephews. 

 Bob was predeceased by his parents, his wife Sandra, 3 brothers, Edward (Ann) Beard, Russell (Marie) Beard, John Beard, and 2 nephews, Gerry and Curtis Beard. 

Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Genesee Parkway, Cuba, 14727 on Thursday January 9, 2025, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. A funeral service will be held at the Cuba United Methodist Church on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 11:00am. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, 130 Essex Street, South Hamilton, MA 01982 or Cuba United Methodist Church at 49 East Main Street, Cuba, NY 14727.