Philip Ross Beach (2004)

BEACH, WRIGHT

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 12/5/2012 at 17:50:46

Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday, March 21, 2004

Philip Ross Beach, 87, died Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at his home in Pleasant Hill. He has donated his body to Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center.

Memorial Services will be 11 a.m Saturday, March 27, 2004 at Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he was an active member for 75 years, serving as an elder and deacon.

Philip was born November 6, 1916 in Winterset, Iowa to Oren and Carrie Beach. They moved to Des Moines where Philip received his schooling. Philip graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1935 and attended Four C Business College until going to work at Luthe Hardware Company.

On May 24, 1941 Philip was united in marriage to Virginia Wright. In 1943 he was called into service for World War II. He attended officer candidate school and after receiving his commission, served with the 12th Armored Division in France. After being wounded, he was sent to England for treatment and then back to the U.S.

On December 5, 1944 he became the father of a son, Douglas Wright Beach, but didn't see him until June 1945. After the war he again worked for Luthe Hardware as a salesman and also owned Farm and Home Hardware in Des Moines. When Luthes closed, Philip began a career in the real estate business. Before retiring in 1979, he did residential real estate appraising for Winegar Appraisal Company. Philip also served several terms on the Board of Directors ast Calvin Manor.

Philip enjoyed various sports, golf, tennis and table tennis. He liked playing pitch with fellow Sertomans and was a life member of Sertoma Club of Des Moines. He also belonged to the Masons, but was not active. Cribbage and bridge were favorites, too.

Philip and Virginia were great travelers all over the world, though Britain was the favorite. Also they were enthusiastic paperweight collectors and members of the Paperweight Collectors Association.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ralph.

Philip is survived by his wife, Virginia; his son, Douglas and wife Lynne Carlson of Cedar Rapids; and three grandchildren, Nancy and Douglas M. Beach of San Francisco, CA, and Robert Beach of Iowa City.

Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church.