Col. Richard Arthur Beyer, US Army (Ret.), 81, a 20-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at Whidbey General Hospital Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004.
Col. Beyer was born on Apr. 23, 1922, in Devils Lake, N.D., to William Beyer and Esther (Ott) Beyer. He graduated from the University of North Dakota on Jan. 23, 1944, with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and married Vollie T. Thoresen of Grand Forks, N.D., that same day. On June 27, 1944, he received his commission as a second lieutenant In the infantry through the OCS program at Fort Benning, Ga. He was integrated into the Regular Army in 1946 and since then he served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the United States, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and Korea. He was a graduate of the Infantry Advanced Course and the Army Command and General Staff College. From 1947 to 1950 he served a tour as an instructor at the Infantry School. He also served as professor of military science at the University of Alaska and commanded a variety of battalion and brigade-level combat and combat support units. In the final years of his service, he served as deputy post commander of Fort Carson, Colo., from 1968 until 1971. His final duty station was Fort Lewis, where he served as commander of the newly activated Fourth US Army ROTC Region. He retired from active duty as a Colonel of Infantry, on June 1, 1974. After his retirement, Col. Beyer served as the director of Army instruction with the JROTC program in the four high schools in the Pueblo (Colorado) School District. He remained in this position until his second retirement in the summer of 1980. Col. Beyer’s decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with cluster, the ACM with cluster and the ETO Ribbon with three battle stars.
Dick was a member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, where he was an active volunteer. He was also a member of TROA (The Retired Officers Association). He enjoyed woodworking, playing bridge and golf.
Dick is survived by his wife, Vollie, at home; two daughters Maren Sue Harper and husband Thomas of Plano, Texas, and Vicki Whitbeck and husband Richard of Enumclaw; daughter-in-law, Deborah Light and husband Gary of Loveland, Colo.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Steven Beyer, Nov. 1, 1977.
A graveside service was held Jan. 6, 2004, at Maple Leaf Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Pastor Jerry Buss officiating. Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, or to the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society, Washington-Alaska Chapter, 530 Dexter Ave. N., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98109. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
