Robert Beam

Family-Placed Obituary


Beam, Robert B. 78, of Springfield, OH passed away Monday, November 21, 2005 at Community Hospital. He was born August 17, 1927 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Preceded in death by father, Paul E Beam; mother, Mary Brown Beam; and brother, Paul E Beam, Jr. Robert, a medic in the Navy during World War II, graduated with a BS from Indiana University in 1949 and medical degree in 1952 with highest honors. He then completed his residency in family practice in Springfield. He is survived by wife, Sally McBride Beam of 55 years; daughters, Rev. Christine Ann Marshall and son-in-law Rev. David Marshall of Glen Arbor, Michigan, Catherine Suzanne Beam of Sacramento, California, and Constance Lynn Lookabaugh of Indianapolis, Indiana; as well as 4 grandchildren, Aram (Loren) Marshall of Chicago, Erica Marshall, Purdue veterinary student, Jared Smith of Muncie, Indiana, Jessica Smith of Champaign, Illinois; and one niece and two nephews in St Louis, Missouri. He retired after more than 40 years of medical practice in Springfield during which he treated thousands of local residents, student nurses at Community School of Nursing and team physician for South High School football team. He was recently honored as a 50 year member of the American Medical Association and received honors from Community Hospital and the School of Nursing for more than 40 years of service. He loved his family foremost but was a gifted artist whose career in art spanned many mediums including stained glass, glass fusing and glass beads. He was instrumental in creating and maintaining the Glass Studio at the Springfield Museum of Art. His other hobbies included a love of cooking, skiing, sailing, gardening, and fishing. Robert and his wife were well known in Springfield for the Christmas lights that decorated their home first on the east and then on the north end. Robert was a member of ATO fraternity, a Rotarian, member and resident cook for 35 years at the Van Dyke Club, Briarwood Sportsmans Club, High Street Methodist Church; assoc. Covenant Presbyterian Church of Ft Myers, FL., the Springfield Museum of Art and a 50 year member of Clark County Medical Society. A memorial service is scheduled at High Street United Methodist Church Monday, December 5th at 10:30 am with visiting from 9-10:15 prior to the service. Reverends Christy and David Marshall and Rev. Stewart Rammes will be presiding. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Rotary Handicapped Service Fund, 1324 Richmoor Road, or the Springfield Museum of Art Glass Fund at 107 Cliff Park Rd. The family is being served by LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME.