Obituary of Thomas Joseph Beam

Thomas J. Beam

Jan. 1, 1946 – Nov. 27, 2019

Tom described himself as a boy from Bridesburg.  He grew up in a house that would eventually be cleared away to make room for an exit ramp for I-95.   Over his 73 years he often stopped in wonder at the things this Boy from Bridesburg achieved, saw, experienced. 

   He attended Frankford High (’63) and Temple University (’67), then NYU, where he earned a Ph.D. in Operations Research.  He served in the Army Reserves, finding his own unique way of dealing with rules and authority and mastered the art of sneaking ten-minute naps with artillery fire in the background.  Working as a CPA for Arthur Anderson and American Hoechst he amassed stories about some very interesting assignments (like witnessing the delicate art of artificial insemination in cattle).  

   Tom soon found his real calling as a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  His teaching style was unique.  He was probably the only accounting professor to include novels and movies in his syllabus, asking each student to analyze the action from the perspective of an accountant.  The University was lucky enough to have had his dedication and the constant enthusiasm he brought to his students for over 40 years.

   In the 90s he was introduced to the Great Books Council, and to week-long Wachs Great Books discussion programs held at Colby College in Maine. A disciplined student, he attacked all his readings with his ever-present mechanical pencil, underlining, writing reactions and questions in the margins. This prepared him for the discussions.  He loved the challenge, the debates and the fun of these intellectual jousting matches.  He took great pride in running the Wachs program for about ten years.  He continued participating in local Great Books discussions from then on.

   What did he love? 

   His family.  Travel.  Theater.  Gathering with friends.  Movies.  Literature. Sudoku puzzles.  NHL Hockey.  Potato chips.  A succession of rescue dogs.  Any nationality’s food  -- but hold the spice!

   He loved how the color of a whole flock of birds changes when they tilt their wings at the same time.

   He leaves behind his wife, Carol Beam; daughters Kimberly Beam and Meredith Rieger (Randall); step-children Jonathan Dilks and Robin Dilks; grandchildren Brynlea Rieger and Forest Rieger and many dear friends.

   Tom died of septic shock and multiple brain clots after dealing with serious heart and lung issues for several months. 

   He requested a sunset gathering in his honor, which will happen in the spring, but being a man of little ceremony, there will be no public funeral services.

   He would have appreciated donations in his name to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Canine Companions for Independence, the American Humanist Association, the Freedom From Religion Foundation.