Frederick "Rick" Marlin Beal Jr.

Frederick M. Beal Jr., known to all as Rick, passed away on February 12, 2026. He died peacefully at home in Colorado Springs after a brief, courageous battle with leukemia, surrounded by his wife and children.

Rick was born on April 14, 1945, in Wichita, Kansas, to his parents, Frederick M. Beal Sr. and Unita Stow Beal, who preceded him in death.

After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Rick attended the University of Kansas. As a proud Jayhawk and member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, he formed friendships that became a second family. His Phi Psi brothers remained an enduring source of support and laughter throughout his life, and he cherished the bond they shared long after graduation.

Rick’s most formative chapter was his service in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Just after graduating from KU, he served as an engineering officer for two deployments aboard the destroyer USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22), based in Hawaii. Longer than a football field and home to a crew of 300 sailors, the ship carried powerful armament and global responsibility. Rick often spoke fondly of his time at sea, especially the leadership skills he acquired and the thrill of driving the ship as Officer of the Deck.

During his service, Rick and his fellow sailors crossed the Pacific Ocean twice and took part in combat operations off the coast of Vietnam. He learned discipline, accountability, and teamwork, lessons he carried with him throughout his life. He always remembered his Navy years as meaningful and deeply shaping.

Rick and his beloved wife, Joni, were married in Denver on January 3, 1981, and just celebrated 45 wonderful years. As they raised their four children, Rick rose through the ranks at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to become a practice managing partner in Systems and Process Assurance (SPA). His leadership spanned offices in Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. He mentored many who remember him fondly, even long after his retirement in 2003. His lifelong friends and colleagues were touched by his quiet confidence, his sense of humor, and his kindness.

Throughout their lives, Rick and Joni shared a love of the outdoors, spending time backpacking, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, cycling, riding horses and horse packing, and gathering around campfires. Rick especially treasured years of camping and elk hunting with his friend Ron, highlighted by a memorable trip to Alaska in 1985. He was proud of his more than 45-year commitment to cycling, completing multiple century rides and two eight-day cross-country bike tours in the past two decades. For the last 23 years, Rick and Joni traveled the country in their RV, making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, and doting on their nine grandchildren in Colorado, California, and Mississippi. As Rick often said, “This is livin’!”

Rick is survived by his wife, Joni; his children, Ryan Beal, Layne Beal (Genia), Stephanie Mussell (Scott), and Brandon Beal (Whitney); and nine grandchildren, Jaden, Jude, Dylan, Brooks, Blake, Quinn, Kelsey, Jackson, and Justin. His family was his greatest source of pride and joy. Rick was also preceded in death by his former wife, Marilyn Rossi, mother of his two eldest children, Ryan and Layne. She remained a cherished member of the extended family throughout the years. He is also survived by his two sisters, Anita Lange (Ken) and Joanne Steeples (David), as well as his many nieces and nephews.

Joni, his children, and grandchildren will forever miss Rick’s goofy “Happy Birthday” singing voice, his captivating Navy and cycling stories, and his loving hugs. A Celebration of Life honoring Rick’s life and military service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Breakthrough T1D via https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/