A fitting pause to remember Dr. James Beebe Jr.
Several hundred of the Beebe Medical Center extended family came out June 14 for the funeral of Dr. James Beebe Jr. at Epworth United Methodist Church.
Judge Bill Lee, chairman of the Beebe Medical Center board of trustees, was one of eight professional associates, family members and friends who delivered eulogies for Dr. Beebe, who died Friday, June 8. Lee opened and closed his eulogy with the same sentence: "Jim Beebe is gone, and we will never see the likes of him again."
Lee also remembered Dr. Beebe – called by many 'the people's doctor' – as a man totally devoted to the medical institution that bears his family's name. "Throughout the growth of Beebe Medical Center into the nationally recognized institution that it now is, Jim Beebe was the core and the constant. There is a reason why they make soap operas about hospitals. A lot goes on there requiring attention. One crisis in a day would make a light day's work. But for Jim Beebe, perfection was required. He has left us with a blueprint and the standard is excellence."
Many said the death of Jim Beebe at 93 marks the passing of an era.
Dr. Beebe's life was celebrated in a two-hour, high Episcopalian service with Dr. Max Wolfe of All Saints Episcopal Church in Rehoboth Beach as the officiant. Dr. Beebe was an active member of All Saints. Epworth United Methodist agreed to host the funeral because its sanctuary is many times the size of All Saints' and was needed to accommodate the huge crowd.
Wolfe explained that Dr. Beebe was a great fan of music, which accounted for the many selections included in the service. The Cape Chorale, a singing group from Cape Henlopen High School, performed a piece that included a refrain stating: "Since love is lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing."
At 8:30 a.m. the morning of the funeral, a funeral procession carried Dr. Beebe's casket up Savannah Road in Lewes where the medical center staff paid its respects in front of the historic Beebe Hospital structure.
Following the funeral, Dr. Beebe was laid to rest at Epworth Cemetery in Rehoboth Beach.
