Bruce Dennis Beekman

Born May 19, 1929 in Atlantic, Iowa to Grover and Bernice Beekman. Bruce died on November 11, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorlene; his Dad and Mom; and two brothers, Ballard and Bill. He is survived by four daughters, Vicki Pool, Nancy Padrez (James), Laura Rosborough (Robert), and Jennifer Moore; nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He is survived by a sister, Bonnie Adams, of San Diego, CA.

Bruce was very proud of his family endeavors. Bruce was a graduate of Atlantic High School, 1947; and University of Iowa in 1953 from the College of Pharmacy. He moved to Arizona in 1956, and served on many committees. He was President of the Arizona Pharmacy Association (APA) in 1969. He was awarded the Robins Bowl of Hygeia in 1973, and served five years on the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy, serving as President in 1979. He was an active speaker on drug abuse and traveled to outer locations to speak to students, faculty, and women’s clubs. Bruce owned pharmacies in Coolidge, Superior, Litchfield Park, and Phoenix from 1959 to 1987. APA thanked Bruce for his dedication and contributions to pharmacy and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership and Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.

Bruce enjoyed music and played several instruments including the piano. He played his vibes in the Central Arizona College jazz band for two years. He loved swimming, scuba diving, golf, tennis, fishing in Arizona lakes and Mexican waters, snow skiing and won a silver medal in the Nastar Races. He was a licensed airplane pilot in Arizona and logged 790 hours in his Cessna 172, Cessna 180, and Cessna 220 over the years.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, November 17th at 10:30am at Valley of the Sun Mortuary, at 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ, 85248. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix (www.hov.org).