Roy A. Beach, of Baraboo, passed away on July 15, 2018 at the age of 89. He was born on October 31, 1928, in Monroe to Stanley and Elsie Beach. His early years were spent on the family farm where he developed the strong work ethic he exhibited his entire life. As a boy barely big enough to see over the steering wheel, he drove a delivery truck and was a mail carrier during the holidays. During his youth, Roy worked many odd jobs for local Monroe businesses. As an adult, he worked for Wisconsin Power & Light (Alliant Energy) for 39 years before retiring at the age of 59. He then sold real estate for ERA Realty for two years before re-retiring. During retirement, Roy continued to work picking up and delivering vehicles for Don Larson.
A lifelong sports lover, Roy was a member of the Monroe High School conference champion football teams in 1945 and 1946 and was co-captain of the 1946 team. He also pitched for the American Legion baseball team and continued to play on a semi-pro team after graduation. His lifelong passion for the sport of golf started when he became a caddy. After taking up the sport himself, he later became champion of the Baraboo Country Club eight times and was runner up several others. He was also an avid and accomplished bowler, coming close to a perfect 300 game on one occasion. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons and going to auctions with his wife and daughter.
Community Service was extremely important to Roy, and he served in many capacities: Scout Master, coach for Little League and Babe Ruth teams, charter member of Kid’s Companion, Worshipful Master of the local Masons, Baraboo Scholarship committee member, President of the Baraboo Country Club, member of the Optimist and Kiwanis clubs, as well as serving on the church council at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo. The Baraboo Country Club was also the recipient of much of Roy’s service after retirement as he mowed fairways, planted hundreds of trees, and helped rebuild bridges and clean up after a flood ripped through the property.
On February 22, 1948, Roy married Ruth Van Wagenen in Monroe, Wisconsin. Throughout their marriage, they also lived in Beaver Dam, Baraboo, and Portage before returning to Baraboo. Upon Roy’s retirement, he and Ruth enjoyed traveling across the country visiting many states, friends, and relatives. One of the highlights for both of them came when their 6 children arranged a family reunion in Rifle, Colorado, where 30 family members took over the ranch for a week. In 2000, their children sent them to Hawaii for two weeks to show their appreciation for all the sacrifices they made for their children. Roy and Ruth enjoyed 56 very happy years together before she died of cancer in 2004.
On July 5, 2005, Roy married long-time friend Mary Harms. Roy and Mary enjoyed traveling together and spending time with their kids, grandkids, and living in Baraboo. During their marriage they were lucky enough to visit Europe together and spend three winters in south Texas with many friends.
Survivors include: Rick (Janny), Georgia; Gary (Heather), Colorado; Curt (Shirleen), Alaska; Steve (Patti), Baraboo; Mike (Jeanne), Minnesota; and Jeanna (John) Stellmacher, Wisconsin Dells. Also surviving are: Mary (Harms) Beach; Donald (Trish) Harms; Shelley Harms; Sharon (Gerald) Vogt, as well as 26 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Roy is further survived by siblings Noreen (Art) Widmer, Arizona; and Joanne Kirchgassner, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth, brothers Robert, Donald, Wilbur, Eugene, sister Jeanette Wallace, and a step-grandson, Robb Harms who was killed in an accident at age 18.
Roy’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the Memory Care staff at Oak Park in Baraboo, as well as his hospice care nurses from Agrace. Your abundant love, care, and patience was a blessing to the entire family.
Memorials may be made in Roy’s name to: the Baraboo Community Scholarship Fund, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, or the Dementia Society of America.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate Roy’s life at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Karen Hofstad officiating with fellowship to follow. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A private family burial will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family.
