David Warren Beich

David Warren Beich

March 5, 1950 - June 18, 2024

BLOOMINGTON - David Warren Beich, after a full life, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2024. David was born on March 5, 1950, to William A. Beich and Patricia A. Beich.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his faithful companion, dogs: Newfoundland Bunky and Gordon Setters Amos, Malcolm, Sage, Maidyn, Swayze and Dozer, and his cat, Andy. Additionally, he was predeceased by his grandparents, Otto Gerken Beich and Harriet Kaiser Beich, Warren Wenger Spahr and wife Clarabel Bemis Spahr; first cousins: Paul M. Beich, Jr., Karen Beich Parker, and Otto (Tony) Gerken Beich.

After graduating from Bloomington High School in 1968, David attended Doane College in Crete, NE, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in history. After college David returned to Bloomington, IL, and worked at the Paul F. Beich Company in the heating and cooling department, as a night shift supervisor and in employee scheduling, as well as at several local restaurants. In the late 1970s, David relocated to Houston, TX, and worked for the Thurmond Supply Company as a salesman. He also worked in various divisions of Strawn Shipping and for Empak Shipping as a traffic manager. In 1986, David moved to Williamsburg, VA, to pursue his Master's degree in teaching and education from William and Mary College.

During his time in Williamsburg, he restored a large farmhouse and developed his interest in the renovation of historic homes and buildings. He brought this skill back to his hometown in 1992, when he joined Kaisner Realty as a real estate agent and continued his interest in old historic home restoration, completing the restoration of 19 homes in the Bloomington-Normal area during his most rewarding career.

In 2003, he and Gary Calhoon were awarded the Heritage Award for Preservation Excellence by the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission in recognition of the exterior maintenance and restoration of the house located at 611 North Lee Street in Bloomington, IL. David also helped the Old House Society raise funds to move the Mandel-Cohn home in 2004 to its current location. In 2017, David was presented the Old House Society's Gift to the Street Ward at the 2017 OHS Annual Meeting. David was an active member of the McClean County Historical Society and the Gordon Setter Association. Immediately preceding David's passing away he was a resident of Westminster Village, and prior to that he was a long-time resident of various homes on Grove Street and Harwood Place (a street which has six of the houses he restored), where he was sometimes affectionately referred to as "the Mayor of Harwood Place."

Besides being known for the houses he restored, David is known for the stories of Bloomington and of people who lived in Bloomington, about which he could talk for hours. David considered his greatest personal achievement being clean and sober for over 40 years. He never married but considered the dogs he adopted the loves of his life. He traveled far and wide with each dog in car and RV, with his dogs swimming at each coast of the United States. He enjoyed the outdoor air and open spaces and taking walks and scooter rides around Bloomington. He will be remembered for his infinite generosity, sense of humor and appreciation for creativity and the natural world. He maintained his sharp intelligence and wit until he passed.

Some of the individuals left to cherish his memory are Sandra Allen, Lynn and Kristy Walden, Sue and Nick Vericella, Fred Wollrab, Tom Kirk, Todd Trainor, Kathy O'Shaunessy, Cindy Shelton, Kevin and Karen Bellis, Dedee Hoopes Champion, Janie Kuchefski, Lida Ortega, Gary Calhoon and Jo Scott, Tim Mauer, Lori Pegram, Robbie Lane, Kristi Burt and Jill West.

Additionally; special mention needs to be made about the tremendous and unwavering support David received from his cousin Julie Beich, which is deeply appreciated by the rest of the Beich family and David's friends.

David is survived by his sister, Diane Beich McCall and her husband Thomas G. McCall, and their children: Carolyn E. Weir and her husband, Christopher Weir, their children, Diana E. Goins and her husband Richard A. Goins, and Thomas A. Weir; Peter T. McCall and his wife, Lisa M. McCall and their children, Patrick T. McCall, Gabriel F. McCall and Evan J. McCall; Maggie D. Magnussen and her husband Scott A. Magnussen, and their children, Charles S. Magnussen and Ingrid E. Magnussen; Joanna C. Gardner and her husband Travis D. Gardner, and their children, Martha C. Gardner, Violet E. Gardner, Henry D. Gardner and William T. Gardner; Eve A. Escalante and her husband Carlos A. Escalante, and their children, Santiago A. Escalante and Sebastian A. Escalante; his brother, Fritz Patrick Beich and his wife Barbara M. Beich, and their children, Kolby M. Beich and his wife Lisa L. Beich, and their children Bentley P. Beich and Robert C. Beich, and Bentley S. Beich and her husband Jou-Yie Chou, and their children, Frances P. Chou, and Kolby Morton Chou. He is also survived by his cousins and their children, Herbert (Hobby) M. Beich and his wife Susan M. Beich, and the child of Herbert and Connie Beich, being John M. Beich and his wife Eliff, and their children, Hudson M. Beich and Maple Beich; Mary Lee Gendron and her husband Dr. Hank Gendron; children of Otto (Tony) Beich being Otto G. Beich III and his children Shayla Beich, Mara Beich, Maxwell Beich, Leam Beich, Theodor Beich and Violet Beich; Rossie Beich MacIntyre and her husband Connor MacIntyre and their son Deegan; and Oscar Casey Beich and his wife Estefania Beich and their children Enzo Beich, and Leona Beich:Julie B. Beich and her husband Ian C. Crawley, and their children, Alex B. Crawley and Nichole B. Crawley.

David's honorary pallbearers are Lynn Walden, Jill West, Fred Wollrab, Steve Tinnen, John L. Pratt, Dee Willard, Doug Williams, and Todd Trainor.

The family would like to express its heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful care that David received from the hospice care team at Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal.

Memorial donations may be made to the Home Sweet Home Mission in Bloomington, IL, or to the charity of your choice.

The family is planning to host a celebration of David's life in the autumn with the date to be announced later.