Richard "Dick" L. Beaver

Major Richard “Dick” L. Beaver was born in Marion, Ohio to Richard and Louise (Miller) Beaver on May 26, 1932 and passed away peacefully at home on September 16, 2022 at the age of 90. In 1953, while serving at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, AK, he met Martha Tracy. The two became one in a Salvation Army wedding at the Inglewood, CA corps on June 30, 1954. But civilians they were not to be. God had plans for them and opened doors of opportunity. In October of 1954, they found themselves as assistants to the Corps Officers of Canton, OH. It was during an open-air meeting that God called Dick to officership. In September of 1955 they entered the Salvation Army Training School in San Francisco, CA. In June of 1956 they were commissioned as Lieutenants with the Sword Bearers Session. Dick and Martha served as Corps Officers in Rock Springs, WY, Pueblo and Greeley, CO, Phoenix and Tucson, AZ, Hobbs, NM, Bremerton, Olympia, Bellingham, and Yakima, WA, and one DHQ appointment in Denver, CO. Both had the privilege of attending the Brengle Holiness Institute and the International Congress in London, England in 1978. In 1985 they attended the Holy Land Congress with General Jarl Wahlstrom and then later went on a Holy Land Tour with the first group of officers from the Territory. The family grew along the way with LeRoy being born while in Training School in San Francisco, Geraldine was born in Rock Springs, WY, Terri in Greeley, CO, and Charles in Phoenix, AZ. After a career of service to the Salvation Army, Dick and Martha retired to Bellingham. Dick enjoyed boating and spent many days fishing and crabbing in local waters. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Martha, who passed on June 3, 2022. Dick is survived by children LeRoy, Geraldine, Terri (husband Greg), Charles (Teresa), Elizabeth and Fina, grandchildren Amy, Michael, Erik, and Sarah, great-grandchildren Griffin, Cash, Elijah, and many loving relatives and friends. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 12th at 10:00am at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham. A memorial service will follow at 11:00am at the Salvation Army, 2912 Northwest Ave. Bellingham, with reception following.