Philip Beukema

Philip James Beukema, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Auburn, California on December 5. Phil was born on January 24, 1927 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Dr. Jack and Helen Beukema. He and his family were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Kent Country Club. Phil attended East Grand Rapids High School and graduated from Cranbrook School, class of 1944. Phil served his country in WWII as a Navy Ensign and was active from 1944 to 1950. After the war, he attended the University of Michigan where he was affiliated with Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated in 1950 and received his Masters of Business Administration, also from the University of Michigan, in 1951. Phil married Sheila Joan Patterson, of Saginaw, Michigan on September 21, 1951. After their marriage, they settled in Grand Rapids, where Phil joined the sales team of Baker Furniture. After several years in Grand Rapids, he moved to the West Coast as Baker Furniture’s Manufacturer’s Representative. After a short time in San Francisco, he and his growing family moved to Los Angeles to open the Baker showroom there and continue to service his west coast Baker clients. He and the family settled in Palos Verdes, Estates, California where the family were members of St. Francis Episcopal Church. Phil left Baker Furniture to establish his own showrooms in Los Angeles, but returned to represent Baker. He also represented a number of other lines including Marge Carson and Marbro Lamps. Always an avid golfer, after retiring from the furniture business, he was the owner and proprietor of the First Tee golf shop in West Los Angeles. After building a retirement home in Colfax, California, in the Sierra foothills, Phil and Sheila moved there in 1998. Phil served St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Auburn faithfully as a vestryman and treasurer. Sheila preceded Phil in death in 2004. On May 27, 2007, he married Carol Roy, of Auburn, California. Phil, Carol and their two golden retrievers, Bo and Daisy settled in Auburn after their marriage. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his sister, Barbara Beukema Richard, and his children, Philip, Jr. (Marye Elizabeth, ‘Buffy’), Sarah Helen Acrich (Gabriel), John Charles (Nicole), and Robert Patterson (Ken Mosesian), and his six grandchildren, Rachel and Adam Acrich, and Anthony, Cassidy, Roxy, and Caden Beukema.

The memorial service for Philip James Beukema will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Auburn, California on Wednesday, December 21, at 4pm. There will be a reception following the service in the Parish Hall.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, CA.