Eric Edward Beamish

Eric Edward Beamish, PhD, 93, passed away into the loving arms of his Father on December 13, 2019. Born on October 27, 1926 in Montreal, Canada, Eric earned his undergraduate degree from McGill University and doctorate degree from Columbia University. Eric had an accomplished career. He taught courses and conducted research at many institutions of higher education in Montreal, NYC, University of Carolina at Chapel Hill and Cornell University, and developed educational programs for the State University of New York (SUNY) system. As the Director of Institutional Research and Planning at Broome Community College (BCC), where he retired in 1997, Eric had a lasting impact on the quality of educational programs and student learning. Many international students benefited from his mentorship and guidance in their education and careers. Outside of the academic setting, Eric loved the outdoors.  He shared his passions with students, friends and family, taking many generations on road trips, camping, biking, geocaching, backpacking, and always looking for that special bird, flower or star. Eric was intelligent, sensitive, loving, caring and generous, always with great humility.  As a founding member of the Friends of Chenango Valley State Park, he helped create the Interpretive Center in the park and personally funded many of its educational materials. He was instrumental in building and designing the Nature Center in Rockland State Park. His expertise, artistry and imagination made these places popular educational gems that still keep visitors returning again and again. Eric helped set up and personally funded a Summer Camp for kids with diabetes in Ukraine, distributing supplies and educational materials to participants. This only scratches the surface of this selfless person’s contributions to the world. Eric’s faith in God reached every aspect of his being. Eric’s life motto sums it up, “My humanity is diminished when I have no mission greater than myself.” Eric was predeceased by his parents Gerald Gays and Vera Olivia (Crandell) Beamish; brothers Richard and Jerome Beamish. Lovingly missed by his nieces and nephews Christopher, Kevin, Maureen, Susan, Michael and Mark Beamish, Beverly Hopkins and many great nieces and nephews in the US and Canada. He will be especially missed by those who loved him so dearly in Binghamton, the Boyko and the Stehli families. We wish to especially thank the loving and skilled care given to Eric in the past year by LPN’s Dan and Chris and numerous others at the Susquehanna Nursing Home and Lourdes at Home Nurses in recent years as well as Francisco Rilloraza, Md., his staff, Margie and Tina for their unending devotion to his care. May you Rest In Peace with your Lord, dear Eric! Your amazing legacy to this world will be ever multiplied by all those whose lives you touched! Visiting hours will be held at the Hopler & Eschbach Funeral Home, 483 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY on Saturday - January 18th from 9:30 am, followed by a Memorial service at 10:30 am.  A private family interment will be held in the spring in Canada.  

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