Richard Roy Beyer

Rick was born in Melrose Park, IL to Jeanne & Clem Beyer on July 27, 1944. He attended grade school at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School and graduated from Walther Lutheran High School. Among his many involvements in high school he was most active in athletics, lettering in three varsity sports, football, basketball and track. He met the love of his life, Barbara Kluender, in kindergarten, wooing her throughout their school years. They married on June 17, 1966 in Melrose Park, IL. He served in the Air Force, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam. Rick worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs for 41 years rising through the ranks to senior management by the time he retired. Rick’s faith was important in his life and he was active in every church he was a member. He guided young adults through confirmation and served with Barb as a marriage mentor (although he would jokingly admit Barb was the real brains in the marriage). After being diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy later in life, Rick became involved with the Neuropathy Alliance of Texas as a group member and then as an active Board member and leader. In NATX he found a support system that became invaluable to him and he worked tirelessly to promote understanding of neuropathy. Rick also served as a Board Member of the Austin Federal Credit Union until his death.

Rick was known for his quick wit, charming personality, brilliant smile and positive attitude. He always found the silver lining and lived his life with the glass half full. Rick’s true love might have actually been golf and he loved spending time on any golf course, particularly the municipal courses of Austin, TX. He was an avid sports enthusiast, especially when it came to his beloved Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and (to the consternation of his Aggie children), the University of Texas Longhorns.

Rick had little known talents as well, including magic (if you know, you know), carving Thanksgiving turkeys, a love for music and a melodic bass singing voice that would harmonize with almost any song.

He was always up for a gathering with friends and/or family and loved taking road trips, especially to the beach or to see his grandchildren perform or compete.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeanne & Clem Beyer and his wife of 39 years, Barbara Beyer.

He is survived by daughters Carrie Burton (husband Bob) and Anne Liddle (husband Jeff), and son David Beyer (wife Brett); sister Mary Beyer; grandchildren Chase and Drew Burton, Thomas and Brynn Beyer, and Benjamin and Libby Liddle; brothers in law and sisters in law, numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces & nephews.

The family will hold a small, private service in the coming weeks. Additional information about scheduling a celebration of Rick’s life, to include extended family and friends, will be provided as soon as the family is able.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Austin, TX (606 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 or www.saintmartins.org) or Lutherhill Ministries in LaGrange, TX (P.O. Box 99, La Grange, TX 78945 or www.lutherhill.org).

The family wishes to give a special thank you to the staff and caregivers of Sunrise of Cinco Ranch for the care and friendship they gave Rick this past year.