William H. Beim Jr. ’59

After holding esophageal cancer at bay for eight years, Bill succumbed at home Sept. 11, 2011.

Born in Minneapolis, Bill prepared for Princeton at Shattuck School. At Princeton he majored in economics, elected Air Force ROTC, joined the Flying Club, served as circulation manager for The Tiger, and ate at Charter Club.

A graduation marriage to Randy Taylor and a son the following year abrogated Bill’s Air Force commitment, and he took a job with Prudential in Minneapolis. After two years he moved to Control Data Corp. as a contract administrator. After 11 years with Control Data he was “offered” a transfer to Newark, N.J., which he politely declined, and left to sell commercial and industrial real estate.

Several years in the real estate field proved sufficient, and in 1980 Bill moved back to contract administration, this time with Cray Research. That year also saw his divorce from Randy. Bill remarried, to Susan Batchelder, in 1987, and by the time of our 35th reunion he had retired from Cray. A consummate volunteer, Bill served the Boy Scouts, local charities, and a family philanthropic foundation.

Bill is survived by Susan; his son, Andrew; his daughter, Taylor Williams; and two grandchildren. We have sent condolences.