Aug. 24, 1930-April 8, 2023
On April 8, 2023, at 2 p.m., at age 92, Richard Leroy Beeston left his mortal existence and entered an eternal realm where we believe he was greeted by loved ones in a joyful reunion. It must have been a special moment for Dick to meet his earthly father who passed away when Dick was only 7 months old. We will miss our grandpa, husband and father but rejoice in the eternal nature of families and look forward to a future reunion.
Dick Beeston was born on Aug. 24, 1930, to Joseph Beeston and Florence Swallow Beeston in Fillmore, Utah. After his father died he worked alongside his four older brothers on the family farm. One day, tired of being teased by brothers who were holding pitchforks, and desiring an income, he got a job at the service station. He contracted rheumatic fever at age 12. This illness caused him to be bedridden for most of the next year, but helped by a diligent scoutmaster, he was able to work on scouting and received the Eagle Scout award when he was 15. He enjoyed sports at Millard High School where he wrestled, played football and became a state champion javelin thrower.
After high school graduation, knowing he would be drafted, Dick enlisted in the Air Force, a four-year commitment. His heart damage from the rheumatic fever prevented him from becoming a pilot, so instead he became a flight engineer on a B-29 bomber. After his military service, Dick attended the University of Utah.
Soon after his discharge from the Air Force, while at a gas station in Fillmore, he saw a beautiful young lady out on a date with another young man. He was interested in her and asked the other young man “Why don’t you introduce me to your girl?” Soon he asked her out and she said, “No.” Dick called her five times so she finally returned his call. After another rejection, the tenacious Dick was not discouraged and finally, Essie agreed to go on a ride with him. They fell in love and were sealed together for time and for all eternity in the Manti Temple on Sept. 9, 1955. They attended school, worked full-time and on Aug. 29, 1958, Dick graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis on nuclear engineering.
Dick’s first career job was at Phillip’s Petroleum Company/Atomic Energy Division, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Their daughter Kathy and son Mark were born there and after five years of cold, Essie was happy to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Dick took a job at Westinghouse Astro-Nuclear Division. He worked as a test engineer on the engine that would later put a spaceship in orbit. Next, Dick worked with the Space Nuclear Systems Office in Nevada, and their daughter Joanne and son Joe were born while they were living there.
In July 1971, Dick was offered a position as area director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the family moved to Bothell, Washington. He received recognition and commendations for his exceptional service. Dick worked for OSHA for 20 years and retired in 1991.
Dick enjoyed watching his kids play sports and often attended their practices along with their games. His son remembers his dad peeking through the tiny window in the gym door and when the other basketball players asked “who is that guy spying on our practice?” His son Joe replied, “Oh, it’s just my dad.” Dick was an expert table tennis player and could pitch a pretty fast softball even in his 80s.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting adventures, the L.A. Rams, running a chainsaw, teasing everyone and whistling. Dick loved to whistle and his children were often able to find him that way. He appreciated effort and hard work. He wanted to make sure everyone he knew was working and often asked, “Are you on the payroll?” with an expectation of financial self-reliance. He liked being busy, being outside and reading Louis L’Amour books. He went to bed early, quoting the phrase “early to bed and early to rise.” But what he loved best was his wife Essie and his family.
He was dedicated to Jesus Christ and served Him diligently in many capacities as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as a temple ordinance worker.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brothers William Boyd, Joseph Mack, Albert and Thomas. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 67 years Essie and his children Kathy Ward (Doug), Mark Beeston (Karen), Joanne Given (Wayne) and Joe Beeston (Michele) and his grandchildren Bart, Blake, Brooke, Brynn, Erin, Brad, Amy, Beth, Abby, Grace, Trevor, Tyler, Carly, Courtney, Tanner, Derik, Alison, Larissa, Shane and their spouses. He also leaves behind 32 great-grandchildren with three on the way.
We love you and will miss you, but we know we will see you again. Your grandchildren would like to say to you, “Goodbye Rastus, see you in the movies.”
A viewing will be held Friday April, 14 from 6-7 p.m. at Hughes Mortuary. A second viewing will be held Saturday, April 15, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Scipio Utah LDS Chapel, with funeral service to follow.