Richard D. Beal

Richard D. Beal passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at the age of 92 at his home in Hemet, California, peacefully and surrounded by family. He enjoyed good health and an active and independent life until very recently.Richard, also known as Rich and as Ted to many of his family, was born on September 23, 1918 in Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where he was one of 12 brothers and sisters. After college and working in the coal and insurance businesses, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1941 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December, 1942. He served with distinction, landing in France shortly after D-Day, moving with Allied forces across France and Germany, and was transferred to the Pacific Theater. After the war he served in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1978.He relocated to Southern California after the war, having met and married Leora Mitchell there. They made their life together in Monrovia and Arcadia. He began his career with the City of Monrovia in the building department in 1959; he became head of the building department in 1960, Assistant City Manager in 1965, and City Manager in 1968, in which position he served his community until his retirement in 1977. After retirement, he and Leora relocated to Hemet, where they lived an active life of travel, family and friends.On June 21, 2011 he joined his beloved Leora at Riverside National Cemetery; they are reunited in God’s care after thirteen years apart. Richard Beal is survived by his sons Dan and David Beal; grandchildren Jeremy and Matt Beal and Maria Johnson; great-grandchildren Natassia and Reyn Beal; and also by his sisters Myrtle Burns, Ethel Gates and Joyce Flint and his brother Wayne Beal. He will be remembered for his unfailing good humor, strength, integrity and love for family. He is loved by and will be missed by many.