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Richard "Dick" Gooch Beidleman-beloved husband, father and professor at The Colorado College-passed away on August 7, 2014. His battle with cancer ended at his home in Pacific Grove, California, with family members at his side. He was ninety-one.
Dick was born on June 3, 1923, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the only child of Fred Allen Beidleman and Olive Gooch Beidleman, who retired to Pacific Grove. He studied for a year at Brown University, before answering the call to serve in the U.S. Navy as a gunnery officer in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
After the war he married Reba Ethel Rutz in her home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The couple moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where Dick started his teaching career as an Assistant Professor of Zoology at Colorado State University while finishing his M.A. (biology) and Ph.D. (ecology) at the University of Colorado, Boulder (CU). He then became an Assistant Professor of Biology at CU. In these early years, he enjoyed stints as a summer ranger-naturalist at Yosemite and Rocky Mountain National Parks.
In 1957, Dr. Beidleman moved his growing family to Colorado Springs, where he filled teaching positions at Colorado College as Assistant, Associate, and then Full Professor of Biology. He also served as Chairman of the Biology Department during his tenure. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1988. An Honorary Doctor of Science was conferred on him by Colorado College in 1989. His influence on the lives and careers of his students and colleagues was profound. He taught with boundless energy and enthusiasm, a memorable sense of humor, and compassion. His legacy lives on in the lives and accomplishments of the thousands of students he inspired, creating in them, as one wrote, "better and more responsible advocates for the natural world."
In addition to sharing his knowledge and love of the environment with his students, Dr. Beidleman gave hundreds of public lectures nationally and internationally. He received many awards, and was responsible for helping to save Aiken Canyon Preserve, Mueller State Park, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as additions to the Garden of the Gods.
Dr. Beidleman's research in the fields of vertebrate zoology, ecology, the history of science, ornithology and science education led to his writing over 420 publications. One of his passions was studying and writing about the history of science in both the U.S. and Australia. He returned many times to Australia, transfixed by its spectacular natural history. His last significant publication was California's Frontier Naturalists, and at the time of his death he was working on a book manuscript on the 1853 Gunnison Expedition.
After the death of his first wife in Pacific Grove, Dick Beidleman married Linda Havighurst Price in 1991. Together, they enjoyed teaching plant and bird short courses at The Colorado College, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association, the University of California, and other venues. For almost two decades he volunteered as a Research Associate and archivist at The University and Jepson Herbaria Archives at the University of California, Berkeley.
Aside from attending musical performances, and singing, Dick's personal hobbies were his professional ones. He was happiest when teaching, researching, or traveling and being outdoors observing nature-counting birds or identifying plants. Beyond enjoying and recording bird sightings in his backyard in Pacific Grove, he participated every year in the Monterey Peninsula Christmas Bird Count, completing his last one, at age ninety, in December 2013 in Carmel Valley [photo].
Dr. Beidleman is survived by his second wife, Linda H. Beidleman, of Pacific Grove, California; his son, S. Kirk Beidleman, and daughter-in-law, Kathy A. Whitacre, of Estes Park, Colorado; daughter, Janet B. Robson of Tasmania, Australia; and daughter, Carol A. Beidleman, and son-in-law, David H. Tiemeyer of Santa Fe, New Mexico (and Estes Park, Colorado).
As was Dick's wish, there will be no funeral service. Instead, a "Celebration of Life" ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. at Shove Chapel at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His ashes are to be scattered.
Condolences can be sent c/o Carol Beidleman, [email protected].
Our gratitude to Hospice of the Central Coast for their caring services at the end of Dick's life.
In keeping with his life dedicated to philanthropy, we ask that any gifts in his memory be made to the "Dr. Richard G. Beidleman Scholarship for Students of Biology" at Colorado College. Gifts can be made by check (Development Office, Colorado College, P.O. Box 1117, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901-9897), online (http://www.coloradocollege.edu/giving, designate as tribute), or at 1-800-782-6306 (option 3). Please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign Dr. Beidleman's guest book and leave messages for his family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Leland "Lee" Larson.
I was his student in the 1962-63 year and he under covered in me a love for science, biology, birds, the outdoors and just knowing what a true caring teacher was, one of two in my life time. My regret was never being in contact since those days and telling him what a great teacher he was, a great man as well. I appreciate him, will remember him and tell stories about him until the end of my days. Thanks.
Leland "Lee" larson
January 13, 2017
I had the honor of meeting Dr. Beidleman during Christmas break in 1975. He was a brilliant gentleman with a great sense of humor.
Michael Livingston
January 11, 2015
Professor Beidleman was the heart and soul of our one week alumni college adventure at Colorado College's Baca campus in 1993. To get up at dawn to bird watch with him was a joyful experience.
Edward Goldstein
October 13, 2014
What in the world would many of us have been like without Dr. Beidleman. From first encounter helping him count bugs at PPLD, being entangled in his web of life, having Girls Club girls find grasshoppers in the ocean of the Garden of the Gods, sharing the Butler and Fort Union Ranches with his students (as well as having several work for us summers), he lighted up our days to the last. Ever present in California or in our hearts my late husband, Dan and I relished being able to call him friend. Vicky Kipp
Vicky Kipp
September 20, 2014
Dick was a valued friend and respected associate for over 50 years. The initial news of his passing reached me over the weekend and came as a bit of a shock, as we had not been in close contact for some time. I am left with strong feelings of sadness and loss and wish to extend heartfelt condolences to his family. Dick's many contributions will live on, and I am very glad to have known him. Richard Pillmore (Fort Collins, CO)
September 9, 2014
To the Beidleman family: I was very sorry to learn of Dick's passing and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. It was on Earth Day in 1970 that I met Dick as he was running across the UCCS campus to give a lecture. To my good fortune, that encounter was the start of a long relationship with him up until the time he left Colorado Springs. During the mid 1970's through the 1980's I was responsible for park planning and had many meetings and exchanges with Dick and Reba regarding parks and open space in Colorado Springs, in particular the Garden of the Gods Park and it's surroundings. Their concern for and dedication to the preservation of Colorado Springs parks system and the surrounding natural environment will always be remembered by people that knew the Beidlemans. It was timely that the city dedicated the Beidleman Environmental Center in Sondermann Park during this period and before he and Reba departed Colorado Springs for California.
Bill Ruskin
September 4, 2014
Kirk,Janet,and Carol:
Don and I are so sorry to hear of your father`s passing. We have so many fond memories growing up next door to all of you. We have thought of you often, and we have missed you being next door. Your dad was a great man, Colorado College was blessed to have him there. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Florence Wilfley
August 19, 2014
My first contact with Dr. Beidleman was at a lecture he gave in the1960's: it was one of the funniest yet most thought-provoking one I had ever attended - ecology and environmentalism. I still remember those lessons as, I am sure, many many of his students and friends did, over the years. His was a true life of contributions!
Wynn Weidner, Colorado Springs
August 17, 2014
To the Beidleman Family:
What a loss to you personally and to the natural world he protected. We will miss that booming voice that kept our attention. My condolences.
Judy Childers
Judy Childers
August 17, 2014
Thank you, Dr. Beidleman, for your contributions to science and science education. Rest in peace.
Robert DeBlauw
August 17, 2014
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