Robert E Beal

Born July 18, 1938 in Normal to Ira W. and Rena L. (Kiper) Beal, he married Linda Grace Sundberg on November 29, 1968 in Galesburg.

Surviving are his wife, Linda Beal of Pekin; two sons, Scott (Paige) Beal of Bloomington and Cory Beal of Tinley Park; two grandsons, Nathan “Nate” Beal and Carson Beal, both of Bloomington; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Lois Kay Steinlicht; and one brother, William Beal.

A 1956 graduate of Normal High School, he attended Western Illinois University in Macomb until leaving to serve in the United States Army for several years. He returned to Western Illinois University to complete his studies and received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Physical Education in 1964.

Bob was employed by Pekin Community High School District #303 for 20 years as a Drivers Education Instructor, retiring in 1993. He also was the boy’s baseball coach and assistant boy’s basketball coach. Previously, he taught drivers education at Yates City High School from 1964 to 1965 and at Galesburg High School from 1965 to 1973. While at Galesburg, he was the boy’s baseball coach and assistant boy’s basketball coach. In 1985, he was inducted into the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. His 1966 Galesburg High School Baseball Team was inducted into the Galesburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. The team record was 19-6 and they took 3rd place in the IHSA State tournament that year.

He was a member of the Pekin Moose Family Center #916, where he enjoyed playing cards and visiting with his friends and Moose members.

Bob enjoyed fishing and gardening. He loved to share his produce with family and friends. His greatest joy was attending sporting events for his sons and later traveling to watch his grandson’s baseball and basketball team’s play. Bob enjoyed sharing his baseball knowledge with kids and adults alike. After his retirement, he enjoyed cooking, grilling on his Traeger, making cinnamon rolls with his grandsons and making his homemade turtles at Christmas which he loved sharing with family and friends.

Private graveside services will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bloomington. Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3420, Chicago, IL 60603, to the Miracle League of Central Illinois, 421 Kays Drive, Normal, IL 61761, or to The Michael Collins Foundation (MC Strong), Post Office Box 19, Hudson, IL 61748.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com