Beaman, Robert Wayne
Robert Wayne Beaman, 70, of Pulaski, VA, went to be with the Lord and was welcomed into Heaven’s gates on Friday, July 26, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born in Brush Fork, WV, the son of the late Hansel Francis Frye Beaman & Loretta Burkett.
Bob worked in the coal mines as a heavy equipment operator for Consol Energy, retiring after serving for over 30 years.
He was an avid outdoorsman and deer hunter and enjoyed teaching youth to hunt and advocate for gun safety. He was known for his deer jerky.
Bob graduated from Bluefield High School where he was an All State Football player, wearing the #53 jersey.
He was a football coach for well over 30 years. He started coaching little league when his sons were young and carried on to the middle school program. He was one of the first football coaches to serve when Bland County started their football program. He coached for many different school districts in Springville, Glenwood, Bland, Bluefield and most recently with George Wythe.
He was much more than a coach. He loved children and was a mentor, a counselor and believed with this life, we should keep things simple and make it fun, even when teaching a lesson. He was a jokester and loved to pick on everyone. He had a huge heart and looked out for the kids, especially the underprivileged. He would not let kids do without and often would purchase sports equipment, clothes, and supplies secretly so there would be no child left behind.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Hansel Francis Frye Beaman & Loretta Dawn Burkett Bosley, his son, Christopher Beaman, his granddaughter, Alyssa Melin Maltempie and his nephew, Curtis Lusk.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife for over 53 years, Eugenia Messer Beaman; his son & daughter-in-law, Robbie & Elizabeth McGuire Beaman; his daughter, Melinda Maltempie; his grandchildren, Alexandria Beaman, Michael Beaman, Emily Beaman, Rebekah Beaman, Lilly Beaman, Elianna Beaman, Joseph Maltempie, Jacob Maltempie, Grace & Nathan Lohr and Gabriella Beaman; his great-grandchildren, Camila and Malachi; his siblings, Donna Harris, Frank & Ann Beaman, David & Kathy Beaman, Linda K. Foley and Roger & Pam Beaman; several special nieces, nephews, special friends and neighbors and all the many children he encouraged and supported over the years. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
Funeral services are planned for Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. at Bland County High School’s Gymnasium, 176 Eagles Road, Rocky Gap, VA 24366, with Pastor Brian Consley officiating. The family will receive friends at the school from 5:00 P.M. until service time, 7:00 P.M. Per Bob’s wishes, he will be cremated following the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Bob’s honor to organizations for advocating for children. Bob opened his heart and home to many children over the years. He helped when there was a specific need. If you know a child in need, help them in honor of Bob Beaman. Offer to pay off lunch room debt in the area schools. Donate school supplies to the “Pack the Bus” campaigns throughout the area. If you see a child who needs sports supplies or shoes, work it out to provide for those needs.
Some local organizations that can advocate these needs are the Bland Ministry Center, P.O. Box 211, Bland, VA, 24315. The Ministry Center organizes different programs to advocate for children. They have the “Pack the Bus” campaign offering school supplies to children throughout the county. They have the “Santa’s Workshop” program that provides Christmas presents to underprivileged children throughout the county. They also offer a School Dental Program, providing dental services to both Bland and Wythe K-12 children. If you would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Bob, send your donation to the Ministry Center and write the specific program you would like to help.
Another local organization that advocates for children is the H.O.P.E. Packs Program, c/o Open Door Community, P.O. Box 743, Wytheville, VA 24382. They offer H.O.P.E. packs for area school aged children, providing meals for the weekend when they may not have meals provided at home. ( Helping Overcome Poverty’s Existence (EIN: 54-1630342), d/b/a Open Door Community, is recognized as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service.)
Memorial donations can be made in Bob’s honor to the Bland County Bears Middle School and Varsity Football Boosters Organization, bchsfootballboosters@yahoo.com, (276) 389-6120, or to your local school football program.
The Beaman family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.
