Robert E. Beam

1936 - 2025

Robert E. Beam

November 5, 1936 - February 21, 2025

Robert E. Beam of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on February 21, 2025, at the age of 88. A loving father, grandfather, and friend to animals. Bob was predeceased by his three wives: Bette Carol Beam, Betsey King Beam, and Betsey Conwell Beam. He is survived by his two children, Scottie (Richard) Bowditch and David (Dorri) Beam; as well as his grandchildren, Alexandra and Charlotte Bowditch; Max, Jonah, and Vivienne Beam.

After graduating in 1956 from Thomas Jefferson High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete, Bob played football at Ferrum College and received his degree from the Richmond Professional Institute. He went on to found the insurance agency Beam Williams Metcalf and McKay and a photography business, where many clients developed into lifelong friends. He pursued an interest in architecture, designing two of the homes he lived in with his family, and even earned a pilot's license to achieve a lifelong dream of flying his own plane.

Bob continued his artistic pursuits after retirement and became an accomplished blacksmith and woodworker, practices which perfectly complimented his other passions: trains, local history, and hitting the flea markets. He loved spending time at his summer house on the Potomac River in the Northern Neck, so in place of flowers, donations may be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in his memory.

A celebration of life will be held at Bliley's - Staples Mill at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 1.