Obituary of Richard B. Beard

Age 87, of Atco, NJ, passed away on Saturday, July 3, 2010, following a stay in the hospital. Richard was born December 17, 1922, in Boston, MA, to Daniel and Ann Beard. One of nine children and orphaned at a young age, he worked long hours in order to attend Northeastern University. As a member of the 3345th Signal Service Company, he served his country bravely in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Upon returning home, he attended Harvard University, where he earned his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering. Richard became a professor of Electrical Engineering at Drexel University, where he worked tirelessly in the field of Bioengineering, developing numerous ideas and inventions. Under his guidance, many young scientists and engineers went on to productive careers in universities and companies around the globe. At the time of his death, Richard was still actively involved in research. Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marilyn D.W. Beard. A kind and generous man, he will be greatly missed by his three daughters; Beverly Suarez-Beard of Wilmington, DE and her husband John; Amy Wilburn of Wilmington, DE and her husband Bruce; Adrienne Reim of Oneonta, NY and her husband Frank; one grandson, Alexander Suarez-Beard of Wilmington, DE; two grand-daughters, Maria Ruocco and her husband Michael, of Newark, DE, and Laura Wilburn of Wilmington, DE; and numerous nephews, nieces, colleagues, and friends. Friends may visit the LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ for a Visitation on Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Richard B. Beard Memorial Fund, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, 220 S. 33rd Street, Room 123, Philadelphia, PA 19104, checks made payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, with "Richard B. Beard Memorial Fund" in the memo line. Gifts may also be made on-line at medley.isc-seo.upenn.edu/giving/jsp/fast.do?program=ENG&fund=342111, with Richard B. Beard in the "in memory of" field. Gifts will be used to support a graduate student in the Department.