Harris Frank Beeman

East Lansing

Harris Frank Beeman of East Lansing passed May 15, 2011 surrounded by family and

friends. Frank’s 90 years were filled with loving kindness and leadership. Frank was

born in Detroit April 28, 1921, he attended Royal Oak High School, received his BA

from Michigan State University and his MA and PhD from University of Michigan.

He served as Athletic Officer of 508 Parachute Infantry. When Frank was the men’s

tennis coach, the team won the first Big Ten championship of any MSU varsity sport.

As Intramural Athletic Director, Frank fostered an innovative open door policy, the

Intramural IM West Building, the Intramural Administration Master’s Degree Program,

a co-authored text on Intramural Sports, and a tennis film. Frank was the first

National Chair of Intramural Section of AAHPER and co-chaired the first National

Conference on Intramurals for College Men and Women. He marched in Mississippi

and actively broke down barriers to allow all students to play tennis. Frank continued to

support student education at Rust College. He organized community, students and

faculty in the South African Liberation Committee leading to the divestment of funds in

South Africa from MSU and state pension funds. Frank and his wife, Pat, received the

first Peace and Justice Award from the Peace Education Center. Frank is survived by

his daughter, Katharine. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 21, 10:00

a.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River, East Lansing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Frank Beeman Endowment fund for

Men’s Tennis, or the Frank Beeman Intramural Scholarship program both at MSU –

University Development, 300 Spartan Way, East Lansing, MI 48824-1005 or to the

Peace Center at www.peaceedcenter.org/donate.