Michael A. Beale

Michael A. Beale suddenly passed away on February 7, 2024. Even at 83, his loss was completely unexpected and his family and friends are heartbroken. A rare Arizona native, Mike was born in Phoenix on October 29, 1940 to Mary and William Beale. He attended Clarendon Elementary School, West High School, Arizona State University (which he conveniently forgot), and the University of Arizona.

Despite his robust, rugged exterior, Mike had a surprisingly elegant mind. He had an extensive expertise in the history of World War II and the other pivotal conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War. He could speak knowledgeably about tactics, challenges, and outcomes with the skill of a professor. In his final days he was completing a treatise on the British monarchs titled, “Brief Biographies Of The English Monarchs (William The Conqueror To Queen Elizabeth II).”

He considered himself most grateful for having lived such a full and rewarding life surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Today, he is undoubtedly basking in the glow of being reunited with his brother Patrick and his two lifelong friends, Jack McCall and Buzz Alston while thanking the people who crossed his path for filling his life with so much joy.

From an early age Mike was set on a career in the law. After serving with the 82nd Airborne Division he graduated from the Arizona State University and then from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona. In 1968 he began practice as an associate with the Phoenix firm of Jennings, Strouss, Salmon and Trask where he quickly became a partner. Eventually he formed his own firm, Beale, Michaels, Slack & Shugart where he handled cases for both plaintiffs and defendants in the area of general tort law, medical malpractice, aviation law, products liability, and utility litigation.

More than anything, Mike loved being in the courtroom and he was mesmerizing to watch. His skill, knowledge of the law, insight into human nature, fair play and honesty won him the respect of the entire Arizona legal community. Widely honored, for the last 35 years he was listed in the publication Best Lawyers of America, received his law school’s Professional Achievement Award, and of special note, was a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.

For a man celebrated as a serious and esteemed lawyer, Mike Beale was a hell of a lot of fun. He was a prankster and a witty raconteur. He could begin a story, get everyone around him leaning forward to hear his every word, and at the punchline Mike would start laughing FIRST, and LOUDEST. Laughter would spread across the group until everyone was in tears, not at the joke, but at his delivery. It didn’t matter what the story was, his delight in it and the telling of it, was magical.

No where did Mike’s joie de vivre appear more colorfully than in sports. He played rugby, a game characterized by bleeding body parts, until he and a gang of lawyers in their 50’s could no longer run the field…or maybe they just ran out of bandages. Mike played rugby with missing teeth, leg wounds requiring crutches, and stitches in places that should not be stitched.

When rugby was no longer an option he took up the gentlemanly game of golf, trying for years to catch up to his wife Rosie’s stellar expertise. Mike was a natural athlete but not a man of finesse; he could smash the fairway, but putting? Not so much.

His survivors include his wife of 40 years, Rosemary, sons Michael (Kenny) and Robert (Robert), daughters Barbara and Katie Gardner (Michael), stepdaughters Kim Yuhl (Way) and Jaimie Forbes (Glen), 9 grandchildren, his sister Susan Kaufman (Fred), and countless friends who will miss his larger-than-life presence. He was preceded in death by his brother Patrick and stepchildren Lisa Rush and Doug Rush.

Even though it was a great honor and one he accepted with pride, Michael believed he gave too many eulogies and attended too many funerals during his life. As such, he asked those who knew him to remember him by creating one last memory together by finding pleasure in something that brought him joy or donating to a cause that he held dear.

Some of Mike’s favorite things include:

• Grab some friends and raise a glass at Durants

• Donate to St. Mary’s Food Bank

• Play a round of golf

• Watch a history class from Great Courses on Amazon

• Make dinner for your wife and neighbors

• Plant a tree

• Take your dogs for a drive

• Read a book, historical letters, or anything, really

• Fly a plane

Please take the time to upload a photo and memory of Michael. His family finds great comfort in reading your stories.