In the presence of his beloved family, Dr. Robert “Bob” Beebe, Professor Emeritus, Youngstown State University, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, after a four-year battle with myelofibrosis.

Dr. Beebe was born January 16, 1944, in Schenectady, New York, the son of Robert and Lorraine Beebe.  He graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady.  He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and International Law and Relations from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He received a Master of Arts Degree, Certificate of Advanced Study, and a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Administration from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Throughout his career, Dr. Beebe held many positions as he contributed to the advancement of the quality of our public schools, the preparation of our nation’s teachers and administrators, and to the educational opportunities provided to all of our children.

Possessing a keen intellect and a ready laugh, Bob was a voracious reader.  He was fun and funny.  He was a faith-filled man and was an example to us all about living a moral life.  His family was his prize, his work as a professor was filled with satisfaction and a dedication to an intellectual life, with a strong desire to guide students in their career.  He was very proud to say that he was a lifelong Democrat.  Bob will be deeply missed.

After graduation from Harvard University, Bob studied law at Albany Law School for one year.  He was drawn to the field of education and taught third grade at St. Luke’s School in Schenectady, New York.  During this year he met his wife, Ann, and joined the Army Reserves.  Bob was called to Active Duty in February 1968 and stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia where Bob and Ann made their first home.  During their ten years in Virginia Bob graduated from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, worked as an Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Affirmative Action, and Personnel Director for the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. During those years Bob and Ann became the parents of Nancy and Stephen.

In 1978 Bob decided to join the academic world and became a professor of Educational Administration at the University of Mississippi.  He was one of the two initial recipients of the Burlington-Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for his teaching and scholarship.  He was honored twice with the Kappa Delta Pi teacher of the year Award.   

In 1990 Bob and Ann moved to Poland, Ohio and Bob became Founding Chair and Professor of the first doctoral program at Youngstown State University, the Department of Educational Administration.  He was charged with establishing and staffing the newly created department which offered degree and licensure programs in Educational Administration.  Dr. Beebe was twice the recipient of the Watson Merit Award for Department Chairs.  He was also the recipient of the chairperson’s leadership award.   Dr. Beebe retired from YSU on July 1, 2015.

Bob is survived by his wife of 49 years, the former Ann McGrath of North Lawrence, New York, whom he married on September 14, 1968.  He has a daughter, Nancy and her husband Danny of Albuquerque, New Mexico;  He has a son Robert Stephen and his wife, Laurie of Memphis, Tennessee, along with four grandchildren, Maisy, Beckett, Rob and Mollie.  Also surviving are Ann’s brothers,  Michael and his wife Pat McGrath of Syracuse, New York, and Jack and his wife Kathy McGrath of Wayne, Pennsylvania, along with nieces Sheila, Kerri, Mary and Annemarie, and nephew Tim.

In Schenectady Bob is also survived by his mother Lorraine and sister Bonnie Beebe, along with his nephew Larry Grimmer, niece Kelle Grimmer and his Aunt Marilyn Sabatini.

Calling hours for Dr. Beebe will be held on Monday evening, April 17, 2017, from 4 until 7 at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 North Main Street, Poland, Ohio 44514.

A prayer service will be held Tuesday Morning, April 18, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by funeral services at Holy Family Catholic Church in Poland, Ohio with Monsignor William Connell, Father Michael Swierz and Deacon Michael McGrath officiating.  The Beebe family wishes to invite all friends and family to join them after the funeral mass in the Holy Family Parish Center for a luncheon honoring Bob’s life.

The Beebe Family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the family, friends and students who stood with us throughout Bob’s four-year cancer battle. We thank the doctors and nurses of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, especially Dr. Srdan Verstovsek who gave us hope and help.

If you would like to remember and celebrate Bob’s life, the family requests that any such honor is sent to Dr. Srdan Verstovsek, Professor Leukemia Center, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, MPN Clinical Research, 1515 Holcomb Blvd, Houston, Texas 77030.

Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com.