Robert "Bob" Beatty

Bob was born on May 7, 1924 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the oldest of three children of the late Martin Allison and Helen Ferguson Beatty. He graduated from Arsenal Technical School in 1942 and soon moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 1943 he entered the US Army Air Corps and fought in the Pacific Theater as a B24 top gunner. For his service, Bob was awarded several medals including; WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He served until 1945, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. His favorite story was not of combat but of a typhoon that leveled their camp in New Guinea.

Bob returned to Washington, D.C. and resumed his career with the FBI. While working for the FBI he attended school at Southern University, graduating with an Accounting degree in 1949. After graduation Bob became a Special Agent of the FBI. It was at the FBI that he met Cleo Mae Howard of Hampstead, N.C. and they married in July 1948. They moved to Charlotte, N.C. where they lived for 40 years and raised their three sons: Steve, Randy and Mark.

Bob retired from the FBI in 1977. After his retirement, he enjoyed a very active life. He briefly worked at a bank, as a real estate broker, volunteered at the local children’s museum, was involved in local Little Theater, and became an advertising model. Later, he was a bit-part actor in several major movie productions, among them; “Justice, Southern Style”, “Eddie”, and “Born to Race”. He was a member of several organizations: the Masons, Shriners, and NARFE. A life-long reader, Bob decided to branch out into writing and authored four self-published novels. Bob loved to travel; he and Cleo enjoyed touring in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Bob’s spirit of adventure was shown when, to celebrate his 90th birthday, he parachuted at Oak Island, N.C. Bob jumped, again, a year later, accompanied by a grandson.

In 2001, Bob and Cleo decided to move to the Hampstead, N.C. area, building a house near family members and lived there for many years.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Helen Beatty, and his siblings: sister, Dorothy Anderson (Roger) and brother, Charles Beatty (Lois).

Bob is survived by his wife of 73 years, Cleo Howard Beatty, of Wilmington, N.C. and three sons: Steve Beatty (Susan) of Seattle, WA; Randy Beatty (Nancy) of Charleston, S.C.; and Mark Beatty (Roxanne) of Taylorsville, N.C. His grandchildren are Christina Beatty (John Sabino); Kimberly Beatty (Daniel Kenis); Marshall Beatty (Adrienne); Laura Walton (Joshua); and Kristopher Beatty. He leaves behind six great- grandchildren, Kerowyn Beatty-Sabino; Samuel Beatty-Kenis; Davis Beatty, Anna Beatty, Benjamin Walton, and Jake Walton.

The family wishes to thank the staff at The Commons and his devoted caretakers Barbara Thimmes and Yvonne Carpenter for their assistance in enhancing Bob’s life in his last years.

A Memorial Service will be held for Bob in the sanctuary of Topsail Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Topsail Presbyterian Church, 16249 US 17, Hampstead, N.C. 28443, or topsailpresbyterian.org  

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