Obituary of Robert D. Beasley

Robert Dalton "Pete" Beasley was called to a better place on May 17th, 2008. Funeral services will be 3:00 P. M. Saturday, May 24, 2008, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Harry Circle officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. He continually amazed his doctors with his strength of character and determination. He succumbed to cancer-related complications at the age of 78, after fighting renal cell carcinoma for over 24 years. Pete was a loving husband, proud father and grandfather, dedicated coach, respected mentor, and strong community leader who lived in Mims, Florida. Pete is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mildred, of Mims; daughter Harriet (Ralph Hope), of Gaithersburg, Maryland; sons Art (Carin), of Alexandria, Virginia, and Peter, of Ocala, Florida; and one grandchild, Alyssa Beasley. Born in 1929 in Ozark, Alabama, Pete worked in the fields and at a saw mill as a child and young adult. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Troy State University in 1953 and a Master of Science degree in Research and Development Management from Florida State University in 1967. He married Mildred Mathews of Troy, Alabama, in 1953 before being drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he became employed by General Dynamics Space Systems Division at Cape Canaveral as an hourly employee and advanced through the ranks to become an executive manager for the corporation. In 1960, Pete recognized the need for an off-campus graduate management program for non-government engineering employees, and took the lead to petition the Florida University Board. His engagement with the state universities, legislature, and university board resulted in the establishment of a first-of-its-kind fully accredited off-campus graduate program in management, from which he was one of the first graduates. Page 1 of 2 Pages Page two of two pages Pete was a pillar of the community. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Jess Parrish Memorial Hospital in Titusville in 1970, and served on the board for 15 years in numerous positions, including Vice-Chairman, Chairman of the Budget/Finance Committee, and Chairman of the Board, a position he held for 9 years. Pete was a charter member of the first National Management Association (NMA) Management Club at Cape Canaveral, where he served in nearly every elected office. He was instrumental in originating and organizing the Cape Kennedy affiliates of the NMA, and served as its first president. Additionally, he was a member of the General Dynamics Space Systems Division Management Club, where he earned prestigious awards, including the Silver Knight of Management and the Gold Knight of Management Award, both of which were based on outstanding qualities of leadership in management. Pete was also associated with several professional and civic groups in leadership capacities, including the Florida East Central Advisory Committee to the Florida Institute of Continuing University Studies, and the Board of Directors for various General Dynamics ventures. In addition to his professional interests, Pete also found time to support the community in other ways. He has coached for the Mims, Florida, Little League, coached for the Titusville Youth Football Association, served as Committee Chairman of Boy Scout Pack 360, and was president of the Brevard County West Point Parents Club. Pete also enjoyed fishing and hunting, but most of all, he enjoyed preparing wonderful feasts for family and friends. Pete made such a difference for his family, his community, his company, and his country. He will be missed so much. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following foundations: Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Drive, UTC-FOUND, Tampa, FL 33612, or Jess Parrish Medical Foundation, 213 Broad Street, P. O. Service Information