Gordon Beaham III

Throughout his life, Gordon worked to make the lives of others better, and the organizations in his community stronger.

Born on February 11, 1932, Gordon attended Pembroke Country Day School in Kansas City, graduating with the class of 1949. From there, he attended Princeton University, where he earned a BS in Engineering in 1953. Gordon continued his involvement at Princeton though alumni giving and governance. Perhaps his greatest legacy to the University was his strong leadership towards the inclusion of women and minorities at Princeton, as he actively recruited and supported diverse candidates who would make the University a stronger community.

After college (and marrying his sweetheart, Nancy) Gordon was a commissioned Ensign in the US Navy at the Naval OCS. He completed Underwater Demolition Team Basic and Advanced Underwater Training. He was stationed at the Virginia Naval Amphibious Base and at the Submarine base at St Thomas, Virgin Islands.

In 1958, Gordon earned an MBA at the Harvard Business School. After his years in Cambridge, Gordon and his bride returned to Kansas City where he joined the ranks at Procter and Gamble for two years, before joining his family’s business in 1960.

Gordon began his career at the Faultless Starch Company as the fourth generation family manager, and worked his way forward to Vice-President, President, Chairman of the Board and CEO. Gordon led tremendous growth at the business, modernizing its main product line, laundry starch, and being the first brand to launch a spray starch. He also diversified the business, adding brands such as Bon Ami, The Garden Weasel, Kleen King, Trapp Private Gardens, Magic Sizing, and most recently, Niagara Spray Starch. Gordon was devoted to his team at Faultless, and to doing business in Kansas City. The company continues to manufacture its primary product lines in the Kansas City West Bottoms.

In 1954, Gordon married the love of his life, Nancy Jane Davidson. She was by his side for most of his great adventures, in Kansas City and around the world. They had four children, Catherine Beaham Smith, Carolyn Beaham West, Robert Beaham, and David Beaham. Their son David died in 2011.

Gordon always believed in giving back to his community and making the world a better place. His civic and organizational activities were extensive and included supporting organizations that worked with all ages and all walks of life in Kansas City. He was the President of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Kansas City, and remained an active supporter after his retirement. He also served as the Chairman of the National Parks & Conservation Association, helping to protect American wildernesses and bring new visitors to our treasured parklands. He was a member of the Princeton University Alumni Council, a Trustee at the Sunset Hill School and the Pembroke Country Day School. Gordon and Nancy together were founders of the Tocqueville Society for the United Way. Gordon was a former lay reader and Vestryman at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

Gordon supported many business organizations, and served as Director of Grocery Manufacturers of America, International Laser Systems, Inc., American Bank, Ameribanc of St. Joseph, Mercantile Bank of K.C., and Info Data Systems. He served as a Trustee of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Chairman of the Board of The Watchdogs of the Treasury in Washington, DC, Director of Students in Free Enterprise, Trustee of Midwest Research Institute, and a Director of Business Industry Political Action Committee.

Gordon is survived by Nancy, his wife of 62 years, and three children. Ever one to bring people into the center of his family circle, he is survived by his sons-in-law, Geoff Smith and Roy West, and his daughter-in-law, Tricia Beaham. Gordon was thrilled to be grandfather to Jacqueline Taylor Beaham, Gordon Parker Beaham, and Lillian Grace Beaham; Robert Leroy West; and Lily Belle Beaham.

Gordon is also survived by his beloved sister Olive Beaham Lansburgh, her two children, Jennifer Wright Berrigan and Allen Wright, and their children.

Gordon always felt that the employees of the Faultless Starch/Bon Ami Company were part of his extended family. He knew them by name, and took an interest in their expertise at all levels of the business.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 23 at 3:00 p.m. at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, the Gordon T. Beaham III Scholarship Fund at Princeton University, and the David Beaham Reading Room at the University of Kansas Anschutz Library.