Sergeant Robert Leroy Beachboard, United States Marine Corps, Decorated Korean War Veteran, 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Platoon, Dog Company, laid down his working tools in the early morning hours of April 24, 2021. He spent 86 years on this big blue ball, embracing Christ, life, friends, family, and adventures, all the while, leaving his heart print wherever he went. So, grab a cup of Joe and get comfortable, because our father would want us to CELEBRATE his life, not be sad and blue! He lived a life less ordinary and a life extraordinary, and you cannot be sad around that!

I know that I speak for everyone…Robert Leroy Beachboard was a phenomenal man! Robert, Bob, Leroy, Bobbert, Daddy, Uncle Luke, Uncle Leroy, Brother, Sir, Sergeant, Son, Husband, Comrade, Father, Bobby, Mr. Beachboard, Grandpa, Nephew, Cousin, Father-in-Law, Mentor, B-Boy, Commander, Roy, Mr. Bob, Step-Son, Step-Brother, and Friend…Whichever way he fell into your lives, it was not by chance… God created our father so that the world could receive him as His blessed gift from above!

Without a doubt, our Lord and Savior received him with open arms, as did our mother, his beautiful bride of 65 years, Rosemary, who gracefully arrived at the gates of Heaven just twelve days prior, on April 12th. We believe that Momma put in a special request to God and asked for Daddy to join her after his twoweek break from lovingly, tirelessly, and gently taking care of her over the years as her eyesight continued to decline, eventually rendering her completely blind. But, in the case of our parents, their love for each other was crystal clear! So, in true fashion of the inseparable Russell and Puddin, they just could not be apart a minute longer.

This energetic man wore many hats during his lifetime. If I were to list all his accomplishments individually, he would humbly shake his head and say “Okay, that’s enough now.” So, I will put on one of my favorite baseball caps that my father has acquired over the years and do my best to share what we believe he felt were his most noteworthy achievements!

This particular hat reads: Purple Heart Combat Wounded Korea 1950-53!

So, we shall start with that! He was 17 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Yep…he fibbed! A young man who willingly stretched the truth just a tad to show his commitment to his country and fellow man during a time of unrest. He was a very humble man, with a huge heart and compassion for others that ran deep. He fought for, protected against, saved many, and, unfortunately also lost fellow comrades, while fighting at the infamous Chosin Reserviour. He always said that Korea was the coldest place on the planet, and he felt it in his bones, joking that it took two years for him to defrost after he returned stateside. His time in the United States Marine Corps was very private and personal to our father. It would be many years into our adulthood until we would find out that he was highly decorated and had received not one, but two Purple Hearts for his remarkable efforts on the battlefield. Humble does not even scratch the surface of this man. He just had a passion for helping others, no matter what needed to be done!

He earned his Bachelors’ Degree in Business from Ottawa University in Kansas. All three of us children were there, along with our mother, to witness this man achieve something that he stuck with for years… through work, marriage, babies, community involvement; you name it! Our mother was so immensely proud of him that day! The tears of pride and joy that ran down her cheeks spoke volumes of her love for him and knowing his dedication and commitment to his family. Thereafter, he used his knowledge in the fields of Electrical Engineering with Armco Steel, Risk Management in Quality Assurance with the Houston Methodist Hospital System and the same with Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio. He traveled through the United States, Canada, and Mexico as a business development consultant with George S. May. The bonus with that position was that he was able to travel and enjoy different regions and meet some remarkably interesting and colorful people along the way. The stories were never-ending!

Our father loved to volunteer any way he could! Once he reached his retirement years, he was able to return to his military roots, diving into Veteran activities with passion around supporting and setting examples for others locally and nationwide.

Rarely did he say no when someone asked for his helping hands! He embraced his time with his brethren while being involved on numerous levels with various War Veteran and local community organizations, some of which are The Semper Fi Society of Brazos Valley, (President), The American Legion Post #115 (Commander), Bellville Veterans of Foreign War Post # 6522, as well as Austin County Tax Assessors Board of Directors, the Boy Scouts of America, and his local church, First Baptist Church of Sealy.

Brother Robert Leroy Beachboard served under the Grand Lodge of Texas as Past Master of East Bernard No. 817. He was raised a Master Mason at Ivanhoe No. 446 AF & AM in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was a member of the 32° Scottish Rite Freemasonry and Ararat Shriners.

As we embrace the memories of our amazing father, we all...Daughter-Kelly (Kevin) Morrison, Son-Darren (Airali) Beachboard, Daughter-Nicole Beachboard; Grandson Joseph Dodson and Granddaughters-Dulce Beachboard and Sydney Dodson, along with his little sister, Patricia (Lloyd) Powers and many other nieces and nephews will forever hold him in our hearts!

Always remember that our father LOVED to tell stories! Not tall tales; but life enveloping stories! Stories that would stay with you for your entire life. Stories that, one day, you would retell to someone else, and you would picture him right by your side! Go tell his stories, far and wide! This world can never have enough memories of Robert Leroy Beachboard!!

Always, All Ways remember to Live a life less ordinary, Live a life extraordinary!

“Once A Marine, Always A Marine,” Semper Fi, Daddy!

Services will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at the First Baptist Church of Sealy, 707 Eighth Street, Sealy, Texas 77474, from 11 a.m. to noon with a reception following immediately.

Full Military Honors as well as Masonic Honors will be presented! Please feel free to come representing your branch of Military or Masonic affiliations! Our amazing father would be honored!

Funeral arrangements under the direction of: Knesek Bros. Funeral Chapel, 768 Fourth St., Sealy, TX 77474, 979- 885-3535, www.knesekfuneralhome.com.