More detail on this person: Newbury Park, Rick Beam 57, a Newbury Park resident for 26 years,
passed away very unexpectedly at home with his loving wife and son, Derek, at his side.
Rick was born September 22, 1947 in North Hollywood, California. At age 17, Rick met Linda (15) in
their high school Spanish class. They became best friends forever and married three years later in
1967. In 1968, Rick was a Vietnam Medivac helicopter pilot. He was very proud of his service and
felt he saved many lives while in Vietnam. After completing his military service, Rick graduated
from CSUN and USC earning a master's degree in economics. He soon went to work for Robert Charles
Lesser and Company as a financial feasibility consultant. Then Linda and Rick were blessed with two
wonderful children, Janelle, and Derek. Rick adored his children and wanted to work closer to home
so he could share in all the joys of fatherhood. He went back to school to become a MAI so he could
work for himself. Rick was a very devoted father. He participated with Derek as a chief in Indian
Guides, helped out in Boy Scouts, and was his son's hockey coach for 4 years. He learned to
rollerblade and ice skate to be the best coach he knew how to be. He also had a very special bond
with his daughter, Janelle. He would help out at school and go on her class field trips. Rick and
Janelle shared a special bond through music as they were both involved in High School band. Then
later when Janelle was in High School color guard, Rick would attend all of her competitions. Rick
loved working with computers and Janelle shared this interest with her dad as well. She became a
software engineer with his encouragement. He would always help her with any late night computer
questions she had. He was a very devoted father and would always attend both children's activities.
Rick was a multi-talent person. He played in many musical bands with one of his best friends, Ken
Dayton. They occasionally played at Borders and at local coffee shops. Rick also loved sports. Our
family was always roller-blading, biking or hiking some where. He loved flying and planned on
pursuing flying more in the near future. In addition, he was a great sailor. We previously owned a
sail boat and would enjoy sailing in the Marina del Rey Harbor area, or just sitting on the boat. He
loved the ocean, and his favorite past time was surfing. He was happiest when he was surfing or
just being with his family.
One of his strongest convictions was being a good Christian and we know he is looking down on us
while he is in the arms of our Lord.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Linda Beam and his two children, Janelle, and Derek
Beam. He will always be remembered as loving man who was very devoted to his family, and will be
greatly missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you remember Rick's love of the ocean by making a gift in
his name to the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation, Attn: Steve Blank - Development, PO
Box 6010, San Clemente, CA 92674-6010 www.surfrider.org/donate
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 8th at the Ventura Harbor where his
family will scattered his ashes at his beloved surfing spot, "C Street". St. Matthew's United
Methodist Church's Pastor Bradley Resare will be performing the memorial service.
Don't Grieve for Me
Don't grieve for me for now I'm free
I'm following the path
God laid for me
I took his hand when
I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss
Be not burdened with time of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times,
A loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief
Don't length it now with undue grief
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now,
He set me free.
-author unknown
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
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