Memorial by Crystal Dunn for her Father, Fred Beach
We found a copy of Cris’ remarks at the time of our dad’s passing. She has ok’d this reprint:
Fred Beach, whose mother called him Freddie, was a happy guy. He was handsome, charismatic, and full of life. He had a love of eagles and frogs, and his favorite color was blue. He was an avid fisherman and loved the ocean.
He enlisted in the Navy as soon as he turned 18 and went to Korea. His mom had to pick up his diploma at graduation and take it to the recruiter. He was a UDT frogman (the first SEAL team). He saw a lot of combat and also received his share of injuries. He had shrapnel all through his back, and a wooden knee. He had teeth knocked out by the butt of a gun, and an ear drum blown from swimming too low after diving from an exploded boat.
Between active duty and reserves he served 42 years. He used to take me to reserves with him. He was very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars post and loved to help and teach others. I personally thought the idea of him teaching code of conduct classes was hilarious, but the Navy was a huge part of what made him the strong, determined man he was. When his mind was set he had the willpower to see anything through.
When he was younger, he was a professional roller skater and won the Pennsylvania state championship several times. He played bass guitar in a country band, even though he was tone deaf. When he was a teenager, he raced motorcycles, and he has always had one ever since. My parents have traveled across the country on his tour bike a couple of times.
He loved roses and always had a bunch of different-colored rose bushes. He was really happy having his own farm with a huge garden and ducks and chickens. He always had a dog to keep him company too.
My family are converts to the LDS faith and were one of six families to start the first branch in Berwick, Pennsylvania. He was baptized in January of 1973 at the local YMCA and was so excited that he swam the length of the pool. He held many callings over the years and his most recent calling was Sunday School President. He also worked at the Family History Center.
He was very supportive and proud of his children and grandchildren’s many talents of accomplishment. My daddy was my rock, my hero, my superman, and my life will be very different without him.
We found a copy of Cris’ remarks at the time of our dad’s passing. She has ok’d this reprint:
Fred Beach, whose mother called him Freddie, was a happy guy. He was handsome, charismatic, and full of life. He had a love of eagles and frogs, and his favorite color was blue. He was an avid fisherman and loved the ocean.
He enlisted in the Navy as soon as he turned 18 and went to Korea. His mom had to pick up his diploma at graduation and take it to the recruiter. He was a UDT frogman (the first SEAL team). He saw a lot of combat and also received his share of injuries. He had shrapnel all through his back, and a wooden knee. He had teeth knocked out by the butt of a gun, and an ear drum blown from swimming too low after diving from an exploded boat.
Between active duty and reserves he served 42 years. He used to take me to reserves with him. He was very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars post and loved to help and teach others. I personally thought the idea of him teaching code of conduct classes was hilarious, but the Navy was a huge part of what made him the strong, determined man he was. When his mind was set he had the willpower to see anything through.
When he was younger, he was a professional roller skater and won the Pennsylvania state championship several times. He played bass guitar in a country band, even though he was tone deaf. When he was a teenager, he raced motorcycles, and he has always had one ever since. My parents have traveled across the country on his tour bike a couple of times.
He loved roses and always had a bunch of different-colored rose bushes. He was really happy having his own farm with a huge garden and ducks and chickens. He always had a dog to keep him company too.
My family are converts to the LDS faith and were one of six families to start the first branch in Berwick, Pennsylvania. He was baptized in January of 1973 at the local YMCA and was so excited that he swam the length of the pool. He held many callings over the years and his most recent calling was Sunday School President. He also worked at the Family History Center.
He was very supportive and proud of his children and grandchildren’s many talents of accomplishment. My daddy was my rock, my hero, my superman, and my life will be very different without him.
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