Allen Richard Beebe, esteemed educator, coach
Allen Richard Beebe, 89, of Windsor, Conn., died peacefully at home Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017. He was the son of James Beebe and Amelia Katherine (Rifenbark) Beebe, and was born in the hospital founded by his father and uncle, Beebe Hospital, in Lewes.
He was predeceased by his younger brother William and his older brother James and his older sisters Elsie, Elizabeth, Jean and Peggy. Allen attended The Hill School, earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University in 1951 (where he also lettered in baseball), and his master’s from Trinity College in 1970. After graduating from The Hill (Phi Beta Kappa), Allen enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II, first preparing for the invasion of Japan and then serving in occupied Germany, from August 1944 to October 1946.
Besides lifeguarding for the Rehobeth Beach Patrol prior to his enlistment, Allen was a prep school teacher for 43 years, first at Westminster School (Simsbury, Conn.), and then at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor. He was appointed to the Loomis faculty in 1955 where he was an unforgettable instructor of history, served as assistant dean, as adviser to the Foreign Policy Association, as head varsity baseball coach (1969-85), as assistant coach to junior varsity softball (1990-97), and as coach of Wolcott Club football, basketball and baseball, amongst other duties.
He took a sabbatical in 1974 to England and created a treasure trove of oral history interviews with World War I veterans. His baseball teams won five prep league baseball titles (numerous major league scouts called his 1977 team the best in New England) and the club basketball championship trophy was named in his honor. He retired from teaching in 1997. He had a distinguished baseball career as a player, including pitching for Princeton against Yale (including President George H.W. Bush) in June 1948 in what was to be Babe Ruth's last public appearance, pitching in the semi-pro DelMarVa leagues, and being inducted into the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.
He enjoyed fishing, particularly with his best friend, Samuel W. "Steve" Stevenson, canoeing, fox terriers, Princeton University athletics, cultivating his fig tree, dining out, throwing parties, and a good Manhattan. He was an avid reader and assigner of books, and believed firmly in lifelong learning.
He is survived by his friend and former wife, Barbara (Engel) Beebe of Friendship, Maine, and their three children: Susan A. Beebe and spouse Jonathan Frost of Rockland, Maine, Will A. Beebe and spouse Valeria Beebe of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Seth N. Beebe and his spouse Wendy E. Beebe of Windsor; and two beloved grandchildren: Charlotte Beebe and Miguel Beebe. A memorial service will take place Saturday, March 18, at 1 p.m., in the Loomis Chaffee Chapel with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Farmington River Watershed Association, 749 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, CT 06070.
For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com
