Robert Bean

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Grace Community Church for Robert H. Bean, age 85, of Roswell, who passed away at his home Wednesday July 12, 2017. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery. Pastor Rick Hale will be officiating. Military Honors rendered by the Fort Bliss Military Honors Team, and the Roswell Honor Guard. The Masonic Lodge will be present. We would like to invite family and friends to return to Grace for a lunch reception.
Robert Harold "Bob" Bean was born on May 22, 1932 in Waltonville, Illinois to Stanton and Marie Bean. Bob grew up with his sister, Janet, in the small town of Mt. Vernon and had an exceptionally happy childhood. It was filled with attending school, swimming in the park pool, hunting game with his Dad, working on the family farm, and attending the Baptist Church. He fondly remembered his first Chevrolet, many church dances and taking his younger sister to the movies. Always an excellent student and avid reader Bob graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High in 1950 and proceeded to the University of Illinois. He spent summers with his Uncle Amos' drilling company in Abilene, Texas working on oil rigs. He was an Army ROTC student and received his Bachelors of Science in Petroleum Engineering in 1955. After completing basic training he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and attended Army Aviation School and flight training. Later, Bob was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he flew helicopters as an officer in the 35th Infantry Battle Group. While there he met the love of his life, Doralea Sanders Bean, and married her on June 25, 1960 in Honolulu, Hawaii. They had an adventurous nomadic life moving to many bases where they developed lifetime friendships. Bob served tours in Vietnam and Korea. He had an outstanding military career receiving many decorations and medals, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with OLC and Air Medal with 3 OLC. In 1975, after 20 years of honorable service he retired as a Lt. Colonel. He began a new career in Doralea's hometown of Roswell, obtained his MBA from ENMU, and managed the family farm, ranches and businesses. The couple enjoyed the opportunity to settle down and watch their three daughters grow up, marry, and have children of their own. They traveled around the country to see their family and friends, visited the ranches and took fishing and hunting trips. Bob made a difference in his community where he was a valued Rotarian, Rotary Club President and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. He was an active member of the Roswell Masonic Lodge #18, the Elks Club, the Belles Beaux Dance Club and Grace Community Church. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and Vietnam Pilots Association. Bob served on the board of the Down Syndrome Foundation of SE New Mexico. He faithfully participated in the AA Serenity Group, sponsored others and received a 20 year gold coin.
Bob looked forward to Tuesday lunches and watching games with his childhood best friend Clyde and Wednesday ROMEO lunches at Billy Ray's.
Friday night dinner group with his friends was the highlight of his week. He greatly cherished these friendships for many years.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, his wife Doralea Sanders Bean and his brothers-in law, Mark Gillespie and Dr. Leland Fellows.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sister Janet Gillespie of Raleigh, NC and his nephew and nieces Mark Clark, DeAnna Clark and Vicki Anderson. His three daughters; Debra Isaacs and her husband Kevin of Brookfield, CT, Dawn Marquez and her husband Danny of San Antonio, TX and Sandra Carrica and her husband Michael of Roswell, NM , twelve grandchildren: Kameron Isaacs, Zachary Isaacs, Jackson Isaacs, Cheryl Briske, Shannon Briske Rose, Jamie Briske, Adam Marquez, Nicholas Ramos, Kate Carrica, Renee Carrica, Lara Carrica and Derek Carrica and one great-grandson, Carson Rose. His niece Cynthia F. Heithold and husband Bill of High Rolls, NM and nephew Leland Fellows Jr. and his wife Helen of Wolfforth, TX and their families.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Gabby from Advanced Health Care for the support and love shown to him for many years. A big thank you to Stacie for helping arrange Comfort Keepers and sending such devoted caregivers like Josie, Claudia, Sylvia, Dianna, and Rose. May God continue to bless you in all you do.
In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made in his memory to a few of Bob's favorite charitable organizations like the Wounded Warriors Project, the American Cancer Society and the Down Syndrome Foundation of SE New Mexico.

Service

Cemetery