Philip Henry Beam, 86, of WaKeeney, Kansas, died following a stroke on 15 July 2018.

Philip was born in Dodge City, Kansas on February 3rd, 1932 to Henry Bridgeman Beam and Ruth Adeline Kirk. Adeline suffered from tuberculosis of the hip which necessitated walking on crutches and led to medical advice to not carry a pregnancy to term. Nevertheless, when she became pregnant, both she and Henry wanted their child so desperately that they risked Adeline’s life to bring Phil into the world. Adeline did survive the pregnancy and Philip became their only and much-loved son. They lived in different parts of Kansas over the years and Philip graduated high school in Emporia, Kansas before going on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry at University of California at Berkeley.

Philip was married first to Marjorie Lee Hammer and later to Barbara Jean Wedow, with whom he had two daughters, Rosemary Grace Beam de Azcona and Serena Ruth Beam Fox. He adored his girls beyond words and throughout his life, he made many sacrifices for their welfare. He instilled in his children a love of nature, creativity, and self-expression. Among their memories are his creative and caring bedtime stories and his renditions of the Wabash Cannonball.

Philip had a love of nature, the country, and especially trees. He served in the army as a construction engineer in Japan during the Korean War. He loved taking things apart and seeing how they worked, especially Saabs and computers. He was an avid reader and letter-writer. Introspective and concerned with solving problems, he literally tried to change the world one letter at a time. Philip suffered from depression and solitude over the years but late in life found a community in the long-term care facility at the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital. There he found love again with Shirley Smith, made friends, sung and played the guitar, helped announce the bingo numbers, participated in a range of activities, explored different religions and, finally, reconnected with his daughters. It may have been one of the happiest times of his life.

Philip is survived by his daughter, Serena and son-in-law Jeffrey Fox of Lenexa, Kansas and his daughter, Rosemary, and granddaughter, Erin Nikte’ha’ Azcona-Beam, of Mexico City.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Adeline and Henry and his beloved childhood dog, Snow Queen.

The memorial service will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney on Thursday the 19th at 10:30 am. Pastor Randy Gibbs of Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be officiating. Inurnment will follow the funeral at the Wakeeney Veterans’ Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Legion of WaKeeney. Contributions may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672. The family wishes to thank the employees of the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital who cared for Philip in recent years and provided comfort to him and his daughters in his final days.