Richard Beard
“Beard, Party of Five.”
“Party? You think living with four women is a party?”
Rich was well known for this response to a restaurant hostess. He was known to take solo fishing trips, dinner in the basement, and three hours to fill a car’s gas tank – anything to escape the chaos of living with four women. But while he often joked that he was surrounded by women, he loved his wife Rita and daughters Rachel, Rebecca, and Regan so fiercely. He was their biggest supporter in everything they did and always ready with a quick pun and sage advice. His daughters inherited his quick wit and are equally hilarious.
Rich grew up in Ottawa, IL, and married Rita Freebairn on July 22, 1972. They attended the same high school, but it wasn’t until college that the city boy met the farm girl. Wesley may or may not have ripped the phone out of the wall during their courtship, but Rich eventually won over the parents’ hearts and hers. They were married for 52 years. Together they built a beautiful life.
Rich received football and wrestling scholarships to Truman State University, but it would always be Northeast Missouri State in his heart. (Go Bulldogs!) There he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He was a two-time All-American heavyweight wrestler and Truman Hall of Famer. He was all too willing to share these facts with the dates his girls brought home, complete with a visit to the framed awards wall in the den. Needless to say, his daughters were always brought home on time.
He and Rita settled in the St. Louis area where he taught and coached at Pattonville for 27 years. He was a PE and health teacher and coached thousands of athletes on the football field, wrestling mats, in the throwing circle, and occasionally on the dance stage with the high school pom squad. He was big in size, but a quiet, steady calm for countless students as a mentor, fill-in parent, and pillar of support. To this day, we can’t meet students from his tenure who didn’t know Coach Beard and have legendary stories to share.
Rich retired from teaching and coaching in 2003, and he and Rita enjoyed their early retirement traveling the country from the national parks out west, a summer in Chicago, and salmon fishing in Alaska. He enjoyed hiking, fishing, and cycling, and participated in the RAGBRAI two times. He also grew into his most important role of Pop Pop to his grandchildren Ella, Lane, Murray, Abel, and Olive. Pop Pop’s water gun fights were epic.
Richard Lawrence Beard, 76, was born November 30th, 1947, and died November 22, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents, James (Chuck) and Veronica Beard, his sister, Karen Horne, and his nephew, Tad Forber. He is survived by his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, James Curran and Nicholas Curdt, his grandchildren, and sister, Sharon Richard, and her husband, Bill.
The family will celebrate his life privately but want to acknowledge the grace and dignity in which he handled his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In true Rich Beard fashion, he charmed every caregiver that entered his realm, and we are forever in their debt. To honor his 31 years in education, the family is establishing a scholarship in his memory at Pattonville High School. If you’d like to donate to the scholarship fund, checks should be payable to Pattonville School District and sent to:
Pattonville Learning Center
Attn: Allison Collins
11097 St. Charles Rock Road
St. Ann, MO. 63074
Please add Richard Beard Memorial Scholarship to the memo line.
Richard rocked questionably short coaching shorts, a pocket full of change, a key ring with more keys than he had doors, and was never without a stash of peppermints, butterscotches, and cinnamon discs. He loved dark coffee, a good red wine, and a smooth whiskey. His love of chips, a bowl of popcorn, veggies sprinkled with garlic salt, and black jelly beans are built into the Beard genetic code. His red sauce will never be replicated. His family is heartbroken in the wake of this loss but is relishing in the memories of a life well-lived and well-loved.
Coach Beard was a good man. I enjoyed our talks at games and parties. Both of us are girl dads and we had a lot in common. Rest in peace.
What an awesome legacy Richard has left! He’s wrapped in the Lords arms and surly watching down on his beloved family. May God bless and give you strength through your loss and continue to hold on to the wonderful memories!
Love and prayers,
Chris S.
Uncle Rich made an impact on all who knew him! Never to be forgotten and Forever loved!
The written tribute is a lovely way to honor Rich’s memory. His deep and abiding love for his family will be remembered with many smiles and more than a few tears. Undoubtedly, he’ll be missed by countless numbers of people. The dedication of each family member to husband, father, and grandfather was one of the prizes he most certainly kept close to his heart. We’ll sure miss ya, Richard.
🌈🌠This Tribute to Rich was Beautifully written with Heart, Soul and such a Deep rooted Love! Our Hearts and Prayers to All of You! He was always a pleasure to be around! Hugs❤️🩹
My heart goes out to all of you. I wish I had known him better—surely a man who loves good coffee, wine, and whiskey, not to mention his wife and daughters was worth knowing. ❤️❤️🩹❤️
Thank you for the wonderful descriptive short essay of who Richard was. I feel like I know him much better now than I did. However, I did know that he was a very kind and gentle wonderful person. Glad that I knew him. When you meet and know someone of his caliber, it makes you a better person thank you Richard.
Rachel, James and family. He sounds like a really good person and had a full life and lots of people that loved him. I hope your memories bring you peace through this difficult time. Hugs and love to you all.
What a beautiful tribute to such a life full of love. Sending peace and light to the family.
Rich was very blessed in his life. His best blessings were his wife and kids. He had an amazing life.
I’m praying for his family.
These past few days I’ve been reminiscing about my big brother. So many good memories and sibling stories to recall.
A beautiful tribute. So sorry for this loss for the family.
Rita and Family, so sorry for your loss. Rich left his mark on those who knew him, the Quiet Giant! We had many unforgettable times, most of which I can’t share. I will miss “Jughead”, however our adventures together will live forever in my mind!
May he Rest In Peace
Jack & Connie Capitani
Rich Beard was a great coach and a good role model for our youth. He lived a very full life and will be remembered for his caring of others.
Judy and Boon Tindall
This is the greatest obituary I have ever read! It perfectly describes a man whose life and level of importance to so many people cannot be summed up into anything less than epic poetry. Beard was my freshman wrestling coach first, my teacher second, and then my friend when we later became colleagues at Pattonville High School. My fondest memory and the thing that defined my feelings about the man were when I placed in the conference tourney my I’m 9th grade. When I exited the mat after my win, he motioned me over to debrief, tapped me firmly on my headgear, looked me in my eyes and said, “That’s what I’m talking about, Richter,” shook my hand, and then one arm hugged me. There are times in life we all need and needed that kind of encouragement, and I know that Rich was there to provide it for scores of people. Thank you, Rich, you did amazing things for people who will remember them for the remainder of their lives.
As a counselor, I was blessed to have Rich as a co-worker. Students and staff enjoyed his caring ways and great humor. I remember a day when the smell of cookies baking wafted into his classroom and his students asked where the cookies were. Rich spun a tale about how he had been bragging about this particular group to his wife the night before and she had insisted on baking a surprise batch of chocolate chip cookies for them to have at the end of the hour. After a productive hour with perfect behavior, the students reminded him about their cookies. With an impish grin, Rich ask, “Oh, you didn’t really believe that, did you?”
I was fortunate to meet Rich when I just got hired at Pattonville High School. For one hour everyday he shared his classroom with me when I was a traveling teacher. He always had a welcoming attitude and I always enjoyed his sense of humor. In the conversations I had with him, he always spoke proudly about his wife and daughters. I will forever treasured his friendship.
It is so hard for me to find the words . Rich and Rita were and still are, the most wonderful friends we ever had as we educated ourselves in Truman University and the School of Life! Poor as church mice, but so rich in this beautiful friendship. Rich was so kind and thoughtful, and made a great dad for his three daughters. He was so generous to Rita and other family and friends. Always love and hugs to Rich and Rita and all the family. Rich, you keep on biking those heavenly trails!!!🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️
Dear Beard family. I’m so sorry for your giant loss. I coached track with Coach Beard. I remember how often he mentioned his love and admiration for his grandkids, daughters and his Rita.
I still remember how Coach Beard responded to setback stories anyone would share with him. He would always say “this too shall pass.” I think he wanted people to know things will get better and not to dwell on your problems.. Be positive.
I don’t believe you will ever stop missing Rich/your Dad but you will feel better knowing he cared for everyone and made them feel special. That’s a huge gift.
Prayers for you all to find peace during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss, Rita, girls and family. And so happy for you that you were able to call this man husband and dad and Pop Pop. The tribute essay is “wonderful, wonderful!” Spot on, about a “wonderful, wonderful” coach and a Hall of Fame human.
Uncle John Kern…. That made me smile 😍😍
Rita – I didn’t know Rich very well but he was the first person I met when we moved into the neighborhood. He was on one of his daily walks and he stopped to chat and introduce himself. After reading his amazing story I can only say I wish I had gotten to know him better and hear more about his amazing life and wonderful family. Hold on tight to each other for love and strength during this most difficult time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Rita – and Rachel, Rebecca, and Regan – what a lovely and humorous tribute to Rich!! It is abundantly clear that his humor and kindness lives on in his family and quite evident how many lives he touched and lifted along the way. I’m so sorry for your loss and trust you’ll be buoyed by friends, family, and the many memories you’ve shared. Sending thoughts of peace and comfort to you all! ~ Cindy Marston
Rich loved his family, friendship, and nature. He set a fine example for his students in, and out of the classroom. This scholarship is a fitting tribute to Richard for a life well lived. He lives on in our hearts and memory.