Bernard L. Beals

Bernard Lynn Beals, born November 22, 1944 in Erie, Pennsylvania, left this life on May 2. His last days were spent at Marcus Daly Hospice surrounded by his wife, children, brothers and the caring hospice nurses. Bernie was the son of Francis C. Beals and Ruth D. Hotchkiss. He graduated in 1962 from Cleveland Engineering Institute and then honorably served his country in the United States Army as part of the 8th RRU Phu Bai, South Vietnam from 1966-67 and the 18th RRFS Bad Aibling, Germany from 1967-69. It was during his time in Vietnam that he was exposed to Agent Orange. It was this exposure that caused him many health issues to include the cancer that eventually took his life.

Bernie spent many years in the Engineering field in positions such as tooling supervisor, plant engineer, engineering manager, facilities engineer for equipment design and new product development. He started his own consulting firm in 1994 and retired in 2004. He did not like to stay in one place too long, and took various positions taking him to several different states. After several vacations with his family to Montana he would always say that this is where he would like to retire one day, and in 1998 made that dream a reality. After retiring in Montana he discovered a new interest in watch and jewelry repair and worked for Asmus Jewelers for nine years, only giving up his new found passion when he fell ill this past February.

Bernie was always caring yet matter of fact in his advice to others, giving a no nonsense answer to even the most emotional of circumstances. This approach helped to make those seeking his opinion look at things in a calmer and more grounded way and this was appreciated by the many people that he helped along in his life journey. He had many different sayings that he carried with him through the years and even on his last day when one of the nurses caring for him asked how he was doing, he said "If I was any better I couldn't stand it" Even when he was first diagnosed, he never gave up and was willing to try any and all treatments that would extend his life.

Bernie is survived by his wife Judith of Hamilton; two brothers, Rodney M. Beals of Lorain, OH and David Beals of Waterford, PA; daughter, Aimee Beals Cavill and husband Carlin of Stevensville; daughter, Christa Beals Keel of Oak Grove, MO; and four grandchildren Callie Lynn Cavill of Stevensville; Jesse Hines, Emily Metzdorf, and Mackenzie Keel of Oak Grove, MO.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 7th at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton with Pastor Doug Peterson officiating. Military honors will be presented by the U.S. Army and the Corvallis American Legion.

His wishes were that all gifts and memorials be sent to Vietnam Veterans Chapter 938,
PO Box 1391, Hamilton, MT 59840.