Richard C Beaven

Born on March 18, 1936 in New York City, he was the son of H. Edgar and Katharine (Decker) Beaven. Dick graduated from Tufts University Class ’58 as an electrical engineer. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1961 during which time he tested Redstone rockets in Hudson Bay, Canada. Moving to Sudbury in 1966, Dick participated in the Massachusetts computer boom centered on the 128 area. He started by teaching hardware development for Honeywell, Inc., and then moved to Digital Equipment Co. where he branched out contributing to many phases of computer technology over a 38 year career. His work developing simulation software was recognized with a patent. He retired in 2001.

Music was a central enthusiasm in Dick’s life. From an early age he sang in church choirs and in the 1970’s joined the senior choir at Memorial Congregational Church, Sudbury. When the church activated their English Handbell Choir Dick joined and became accomplished at all the bells. He attended annual AGEHR bell festivals and for many years played with the MCC group at the Wayside Inn December holiday concert in the Martha Mary Chapel.

Dick is survived by his wife Marilyn (Mohnkern) Beaven, daughters Gwenyth Beaven of Cambridge, MA and Meredith B. Rosenthal also of Cambridge, grandchildren Jonathan and Daniel Fairbank, Jordan and Phoebe Rosenthal, and great grandson Parker Fairbank.

Burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sudbury will be private. A memorial service will be held on January 14, 2017 at the Memorial Congregational Church, 26 Concord Road, Sudbury at 11 o’clock.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to Memorial Congregational Church, Sudbury, MA for use in the music program and to City Mission Society, 14 Beacon Street, Suite 203, Boston, MA 02108.