Robert Alden Beal

Robert Alden (Bob) Beal died peacefully in Overland Park, KS on June 30, 2018 with his family at his side.  He was 85 years old.  He was preceded in death by his parents Glen and Agnes (Vanderman) Beal, his brother David and his grandson Jason Hinkel.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years Kathleen; his brothers Tyson (Nita) of Windsor Heights, IA and Glen (Deborah) of Lee’s Summit, MO; his daughters Deborah (Jay) Hinkel of Wichita, KS and Sandra (Doug) Anderson of Paola, KS; his grandchildren Jillian (Paul) York, Jaime McHugh, Nathaniel (Kari) Hinkel, Jennifer (Matthew) Boyd, Stacie (Clinton) Proctor and his great-grandchildren Henry, Colin and Eva McHugh; Wesley and Landon York, Derek Boyd; Zander Lee and Lydia Proctor.  Bob was raised on a Flint Hills farm and was graduated from Hamilton, KS rural high school.  He married Kathleen (Cummins) on June 27, 1953 while attending Kansas State University.  At KSU he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the university’s varsity track team.  He graduated from KSU in May 1955 with a degree in Agricultural Administration.  He then joined the US Army, where he distinguished himself as a decorated team-competition marksman. He was honorably discharged in 1957 with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After graduation he joined the John Deere Company as a service representative covering first the Kansas and then the Colorado territories as a technical trainer and troubleshooter. He could often solve in an hour mechanical problems that had puzzled others for days. He later served John Deere as Territory Manager out of Hutchinson, KS and then out of the Kansas City office.  He retired from John Deere in 1980 and began a second career as a self-employed HVAC provider d/b/a Air Service Company, providing sales and service to small businesses and consumers. Bob never knew a stranger, and could be counted on for animated conversation as part of any repair call.  He gave families with small children and the elderly priority and emergency service without extra charge.  He never advertised, as customer loyalty and word of mouth recommendations kept his appointment book full.  Upon retiring from his second career in 2005, Bob and Kathy moved back to rural Greenwood County, KS for a retirement filled with farmstead improvements, home improvement projects for children, and support for the school and athletic activities of grandchildren. Those adult grandchildren now can point out home repairs and improvements from his hand. He always had the tool and the know-how to meet the needs of any family member or friend. Bob’s contributions extended to the wider community as well.  He was a Rotarian, and a 32nd degree Mason.  He and Kathy were founding members of the United Methodist Church in Northglenn, CO, and were leaders in the United Methodist Church in any community in which they lived.  He was always on the church property committee, a trustee, or on the Church Board.  As he learned of property repairs needed for the church or parsonage, he would often do the work himself, at his own cost.  Bob loved and was loved by his family, and will be missed by the many friends who survive him.  A public viewing will be available at the Hamilton United  Methodist Church on July 5, 2018 from 9:30 to 10:30 am, followed by a memorial service at the church at 10:30 am.  Graveside services will be held thereafter at Janesville Cemetery in Hamilton, KS. The family requests that memorial gifts be made to the United Methodist Church of Hamilton, KS. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.