Richard Clinton Beach

Richard C. Beach was born in Abiliene, Kansas on July 24, 1924 to Harriet and Lloyd Beach. After spending his early years in central Kansas, he graduated from Salina, Kansas High School in June 1942. He briefly attended the University of Kansas and then joined the Army Air Corps and became a pilot. When he was released from service he returned to the University of Kansas where he met Dorothy Hegdal whom he married on April 2, 1947. On July 6, 1949 they had twin sons, Christopher and Douglas. Richard graduated in 1950 from the University of Kansas with a degree in Architecture and worked in Denver, CO for an architectural firm before being called up to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After being released again from military service he began his career in architecture and construction management. His daughter, Alison, was born Jan. 31, 1954 in Cheyenne, WY. Shortly after, Richard began work with Continental Oil Co. and was moved to Ponca City, OK, Chicago, IL and Houston, TX. In 1960 the family moved to Ft. Worth. TX where he joined Champlin Oil Co. and built a home and lived on Eagle Mountain Lake. The family enjoyed thirteen years of living on the lake until Richard and Dorothy moved to Tehran, Iran for four years. During this time they traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East.

After returning from Tehran, Richard and Dorothy settled in Houston, TX where he continued his work in construction management with Bernard Johnson Engineering. While in Houston Richard and Dorothy lived on Clear Lake and began years of sailing the Gulf Coast. In 1987 Richard retired and he and Dorothy sailed the Gulf Coast and East Coast of the U.S., visiting friends along the way. When their sailing days were done they began traveling across North America in their RV. There was hardly a route or city or place they did not visit several times staying for months in Colorado, Arizona and Texas, fishing, painting and making new friends along the way. In 2000 they purchased a home in Georgetown, TX and continued their RV travels. In 2014 Dorothy died after a lengthy illness. Richard continued living in Georgetown, TX until his death on October 17, 2016.

Throughout his life Richard not only pursued his career, raised a family and traveled but continued his interests in sailing, model railroading, painting, woodworking, history and reading. Richard served as an active member of his church throughout his life including serving as an Elder at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (Houston) and First Presbyterian Church (Ft. Worth). At the time of his death he was a member of First Presbyterian Church (Georgetown, TX). Richard was predeceased by his beloved wife Dorothy of 67 years and survived by his children, Christopher and wife Siti of Houston, TX; Douglas and wife Barbie of San Antonio; and Alison Barker and husband Stevan of San Antonio. He is also survived by his grandchildren Cori Beach of Houston, TX; Blair Downs and husband Lonnie of Charlotte, NC; Cliff Haryanto, his wife Naomi and children Leone, Levi, Liam and Lennon of Jakarta, Indonesia; Howard Haryanto and his wife Jessica and child Peter of Houston, TX; Lyndia Makol, her husband Ryan and children Leonie and Jonah of Houston, TX; Jonathan Barker, his wife Michele and daughter Caroline of San Antonio, TX; Emily Cleveland and her husband Ben of Birmingham, AL; Bryan Beach of San Antonio, TX; Tyler Beach of San Antonio; and Graham Beach, his wife Jennifer and son Ryland of San Antonio, TX.

Visitation is at Porter Loring Funeral Home on McCullough from 5 pm to 7 pm on Friday, October 21, 2016 followed by a graveside burial service at Sunset Memorial Park, Saturday morning October 22, 2016 at 9:30 am.

There will be a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church Georgetown, 703 S. Church Street, Georgetown, TX on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 1:00 pm.