Richard Beardsley

Richard (Dick) Beardsley, 91, of Kalamazoo, Michigan died on August 22, 2017 after a short battle with cancer. He was born on May 20th, 1926 to Melvin & Beatrice Beardsley and was a life long resident of Kalamazoo. On July 9th, 1950 he was united in marriage to Annie Laurie (Taylor) Beardsley and they celebrated 65 years together before her death in 2016.

Dick achieved the rank of Eagle Scout (Order of the Arrow), and was a 1944 graduate of Kalamazoo Central. After graduating high school Dick proudly served in the Navy as a Torpedo-man 3rd Class in the Pacific during WWII. After his Navy service, Dick went on to graduate from Western Michigan in 1950 with a B.S. in Business and retired from Pfizer in 1984. He was a member of the American Legion, Elks and the Royal Order of Moose.

Dick’s life was characterized by honor and service. He was a WWII veteran who sacrificed to serve our country. He cared for his wife Laurie for 11 years after she suffered a stroke and he provided for his children’s needs throughout their lives.

Dick is survived by his daughter Sandra Timmerman (Garrett), granddaughter Nicole Westpinter (Josh), two wonderful great-grandchildren Emma & Jonah, as well as nieces and nephews (and their families) in Michigan, California and Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Laurie, daughter Betty Jo Beardsley, and son Dick Beardsley Jr.

Per his request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Talons Out Honor Flights http://talonsouthonorflight.org/. Talons Out flies World War II Veterans of Southwest Michigan to Washington D.C. at no charge to the Vets to visit their WWII memorial.

The family is being served by the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg, (269-649-1697).