Robert William Beard

Robert William Beard began his new adventure Saturday, February 5^th, 2023.
Known to others as either Bob, Bill, Dad; or any number of endearments by his wife of 45 years, 7 months and 8 days, Kathryn Ann (House) Beard, Bob was well loved by almost everyone. I’m sure there are other names he was called, but we will skip those in deference to polite society.

Bob was born on March 6, 1937 to Robert Edward Beard and Arretta (Gibson) Beard in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He graduated 8^th grade and went right into the work field, later obtaining his GED. Bob joined the Army during The Korean Conflict. (He objected to anyone referring to it as a war, as war was never declared.)  He and his brother Douglas Daniel Beard built homes from Oklahoma to California. Primarily a carpenter by trade, he worked for Bell Helicopter from 1966 to 1995.

Bob (or Bill if you prefer) had four children: Tamara Janell, Eric Wayne, Robert Douglas, and Roger Allen. These four alone gave him 13 grandchildren!

Just about the time Bob’s children began graduating from school, he and Kathryn discovered an abiding love for Basset Hounds. Starting with pet quality dogs, they later bred show quality bassets, finishing numerous AKC Champions from their Skalawag’s Kennel.  When they moved to Big Sandy after Bob’s retirement from Bell Helicopter, they added a kennel to their home and have housed many bassets over the years. Never able to pass up a dog in need, the kennel has remained full as Bob and Kathryn have homed many fur babies that lost their people.
Bob and Kathryn enjoyed hunting near Fredericksburg, Texas during deer season. They also enjoyed traveling, visiting every state they could drive to west of the Mississippi. They often included children on their adventures, starting with their Honeymoon, which included four children old enough to be embarrassed by their handholding in public! As grandchildren began arriving, Bob and Kathryn might include a couple of them on their adventures. What trip isn’t made more fun by taking along extra kids and several dogs!? In 2002, Bob and Kathryn took two kids and three dogs on a three and one half month trip to Alaska, towing a travel trailer. Most all of them survived the trip, losing only an inch or so of Bob’s hairline, a few chunks of sanity, and one of the elderly dogs that passed during the trip.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert Edward Beard, and Arretta (Gibson) Beard; son Roger Allen Beard; Grandson William Johnson, and Grandson-in-law Sgt. Stephen Jones.

Bob is survived by his wife Kathryn;  Children: Tamara Coder (Thomas), Eric Beard (Jackie), Robert Douglas Beard (Ruby); and bonus son Simeon Guillen (Maria).
Grandchildren: Christopher Johnson, Tammy Darlene Beard, Tanya Beard, Rebekah (Coder) Mejia, Benjamin Coder, Laura Boles (Beard), Anthony Beard, Stephen Thomas Coder, Daniel Coder, Samuel Coder, Mary Wood, and Andy (Huey) Wood.
Siblings:  sister Melba Jean Callahan, and brother Douglas Daniel Beard (Lennie)
Too many Great Grandchildren to list!

A Celebration of Life service will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Pritchett Community Center.
 
In Lieu of flowers,  Please consider a donation to the AKC Canine Health Foundation, The DHCA Foundation, The American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.