Robert E. Beebe, 95, a fourth generation of Beebe's to reside in Kalkaska County, died Sun, Jun 11, 1995 at the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center's Long-Term Care Unit.
Mr. Beebe was a 1918 graduate of Kalkaska High School and worked for the telephone company, which is now known as Michigan Bell. In 1918, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended the University of Michigan as a U.S. Army Officer Candidate. Following his return to Kalkaska, he completed the Kalkaska County Normal School and attended Ferris Institute and the University of Michigan. He taught in Kalkaska rural schools for 13 years. His first school was at Sigma, 1922-1923 with 50 students enrolled. He taught the Barnhart School for four years. During WWII, he was an inspector at the Ford Willow Run Bomber Plant. Following his retirement from the Ford Ypsilanti Plant in 1967, he returned to Kalkaska and divided his time between his Kalkaska home and his beloved cottage at Torch Lake. In recent years, during the winter, he visited his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and downstate. He was in great demand as a speaker in his great grandchildren's classrooms talking about one room school houses.
Mr. Beebe was the assistant Scoutmaster of the first Boy Scout Troop in Kalkaska, chartered in 1916. He was a life-long participant, leader, and supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. He was the Scoutmaster of the troop sponsored by the Kalkaska Chamber of Commerce from 1937 to 1943.
Mr. Beebe was a member of the Kalkaska United Methodist Church, the American Legion Kalkaska Post #480 and the Kalkaska Historical Society. On Aug 18, 1993, he was presented a "Pioneer Award," by the Kalkaska County Pioneer Association for his participation in community events.
Mr. Beebe was born in the village of Kalkaska on May 23, 1900 to Orrin and Ida (Barber) Beebe. On Mar 29, 1924, in Flint, he was united in marriage with Inez Albert, who preceded him in death on Apr 29, 1984.
Surviving are two sons, Robert G (Bob) and his wife, Betty Beebe, of Summerville, SC, Albert A (Bud) and his wife, Audrey Beebe, of Grosse Isle; two daughters, Mrs. Constantin (Marjorie) Micuda of Pisgah Forest, NC and Mrs. Paul (Margaret) Reed of Kalkaska; 17 grandchildren: Dawn Beebe McChesney, Dorinda Beebe Rady, Drew Beebe Beasley, Devon Beebe Barns and Robert G. Beebe Jr, Anne Beebe Buchanan, Octavia Micuda Thomas, Porter Blattenberger, Bobette Blattenberger, Herbert Blattenberger and Jenny Blattenberger VanderMeulen; 30 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Also surviving is one sister, Ellen (Beebe) Planck, one grandson, Matthew Beebe and one granddaughter Deanne Beebe, preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held at 11 am, Wed, Jun 14, 1995 at the Kalkaska United Methodist Church. Rev. Charles Van Lente officiated. Burial was in Southern Cemetery, in Central Lake at 2:30pm.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.
