Kurt C Bealer

Kurt was a longtime resident of Southern California and a retired military veteran who served his country with honor and dedication. He was also an avid senior league softball player, spending many happy hours on the field with friends and teammates. He injected a strong sense of individual responsibility and personal accountability into his accomplishments.

Kurt was also a man who enjoyed the simpler pleasures of life, whether they be found in the quiet, reflective moments of time spent at home or in the noisy heat of play on the ball field. He cherished these personal moments with family and teammates above all else, finding contentment in the love and connection he shared with those around him.

Kurt was born on July 7, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Irving Willis & Elizabeth M. (Persson) Bealer. He and younger brother George grew up in nearby Dearborn, where their mother taught elementary school and their father worked in the automotive industry. Childhood summers were often spent in Syracuse and the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, where his grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins lived.

In 1958, Kurt’s family moved from Michigan to Southern California when his father accepted a position in the region’s growing aerospace industry. The family settled into the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles, and Kurt finished his final two years of public school at Westchester High School. During this period, he was a varsity member of the school’s cross-country track, swim, and baseball teams. Kurt’s natural athleticism and quick arm made him a particularly skilled first baseman.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University, Kurt enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a heavy vehicle driver for 3 years at an American military base in Kornwestheim, Germany. Returning home to Los Angeles, he reenrolled in Pepperdine and earned a master’s degree in accounting and business administration.

In 1992 Kurt met Ina Rodriguez, and the two quickly bonded over a mutual interest in lifelong education and a shared concern for injured and abandoned pets. The couple married a year later and eventually became residents of Long Beach, where they enjoyed gardening, hiking, watching sunsets at the beach, and playing softball.

Kurt is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Isolina (Ina) Rodriguez Bealer; step-son Alex Rodriguez, wife Myra, and sons Aiden and Jacob; step-son Carlos Rodriguez; brother George Bealer and spouse Keith; and many cousins throughout the country.

A Celebration of Life service will be held from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Stricklin/Snively, 1952 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90806. Reception to follow service. Please call 562-426-3365 for more information.