We received some sad news late last week: Schweitzer Fellow for Life David Beakey has passed away.
As a 2000-01 Boston Schweitzer Fellow and Tufts-Emerson Master’s Program in Health Communications student, Beakey worked to increase the attendance of seniors at Quincy Medical Center’s mental health programs. The proud veteran (he served as a Marine in the Vietnam War) and nontraditional student (he pursued his graduate education later in life) provided an invaluable perspective for his Fellowship peers.
After completing his Fellowship year, Beakey remained a highly active member of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF)’s alumni network of Fellows for Life. Whether the retired counselor for the Massachusetts Rehab Association was serving as a member of the Boston Schweitzer Fellows Program’s selection committee or providing new Fellows with advice and support, Beakey always made ASF a priority.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Dave’s passing,” says ASF National Program Director and Fellow for Life Meghan Johnson, a member of Beakey’s 2000-01 Fellowship class. “It is heartbreaking to speak about him in the past tense. His support and enthusiasm will be greatly missed—he always had a kind word for ASF staff members and Fellows. I will always remember his dedication and commitment to making the world a better place—especially for seniors and veterans in need.”
“David was a very, very cherished Boston Schweitzer Fellow, and then active Schweitzer Fellow for Life,” says ASF President Lachlan Forrow, MD. “This news is terribly sad to hear, and all his family and friends have my most sincere condolences.”
To read Beakey’s obituary in the Patriot-Ledger, click here.
The Schweitzer Fellowship meant the world to my father. It made him so happy to be a part of something like this. To this day, his living room is filled with framed photographs from this era of his life. Thank you for writing this. It means a lot to know how much my father meant to others, as well.
Dan, thank you so much for your heartfelt comment. All of us here at ASF are so sorry for your loss. We miss your dad but feel so lucky to have known him — we will always remember his dedication and commitment to making the world a better place, especially for seniors and veterans in need.
Dave Beakey, in the 3 years that I knew him, he became one of my closest friends. I have never met a man more sincere, caring, giving, and selfless. He would give the shirt off of his back to help. In the hundreds of conversations I always had with him, he would never want to talk about any problem, rather…live in the solution. He preached sobriety, therapy, getting well, and even in his last few days, he left a message on my answering machine of optimism, hope, and brightness of the future. My only sadness is that I never was able to say “good bye Dave” as no one ever really knows when God will call. I think of Dave often, his positive messages of hope, strength and genuine confidence. Dave was an angel, and he will be missed. He planned a party for July…which I, in Florida would have made. He was proud of his son, Dan, and his grandson. I want to meet them both. There will never be anyone again like Dave Beakey. He was a gifted writer, proving it with his amazing memoir of his exploits in Vietnam as a machine gunner for 2/1 Marines of Echo Company during his 13 month tour as chronicled in “Booby Trap Boys.” He taught ESL to newly arrived Americans, as well as was a social worker in previous years. However, Dave was simply Dave, my buddy….a guy I could always turn to. I kept telling him he would get better. No one knew, including himself, that God would be shortly calling. I am sad I lost my good friend Dave. I am happy he is at peace now, and that he no longer is suffering the pains of the flesh! We will meet again, Dave, in God’s Kingdom! I know you are reading these words….I love you, Buddy!!!!!! I thank God for putting you in my life! Bernie Weisz
Contact: BernWei1@aol.com Historian, Vietnam War/Book Reviewer