September 26, 2005 Source: St. Mary's University:
http://www.smu.ca/newsreleases/2005/26-09-2005.html BEIS, Richard Hardy It is with great sadness that the Beis family announces the sudden and unexpected death of Richard Beis on September 21, 2005. He was 77. Saint Mary's University will hold a memorial in his honour at 3:00 PM on Thursday, September 29 in the Art Gallery (Loyola Building). After teaching in the United States for five years, he and his family immigrated to Halifax in 1965, where he was a professor of Philosophy at Saint Mary's University for 25 years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Western Ontario and his PhD from Notre Dame. Students were his priority and he constantly encouraged young minds to question and reason. Over a 30 year period he published articles on a variety of controversial ethical issues. Active on faculty committees, he was instrumental in forming the University's Faculty Union, the first in Canada. Once retired, Richard volunteered for Feed Nova Scotia (formerly the Metro Food Bank) for 15 years, continued his research and writings on current ethical issues and taught in the Gambia, which was especially gratifying for him. Richard continues to serve the academic community in death as he did in life, with the donation of his body at his request to Dalhousie University Medical School. A devoted father, always proud of the accomplishments of his wife and children, he graced them with his generous caring nature and sense of humor. Generations ahead of his time, he was an equal partner in marriage and parenting. He had a passion for golf, good conversation, NFL football, and good Scotch. He is survived by his wife, Frances (Clabots) Beis; son, Jeffrey (Susan Leech) Beis; granddaughter Billie, Vancouver; daughter, Jill (Graham Collins) Beis and grandson Samuel, Halifax; sister, Margaret Ann (Tanny) Kagerer, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, George C. Beis (Florida) and John Beis (Georgia). Friends are invited to gather with the family for a sharing of memories on Wednesday, September 28, from 6:30-9 p.m. in the old Ashburn Golf Course (3250 Joseph Howe Dr.). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Feed Nova Scotia or a local food bank of your choice. -30-
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