Fred William Bean

BREWER – Fred William Bean, 94, passed peacefully June 25, 2013, at Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. Fred was born Sept. 23, 1918, in Jay, son of Charlotte Pike and Eugene Bean.
Fred graduated from Gorham Normal School, later known as Gorham State Teachers’ College with a degree in Industrial Arts. He began his teaching career in Woodland and later moved to Brewer School Department where he taught for 35 years. His professional teaching career was interrupted while he served his country from 1942-1946. He was assigned to communication/cryptographic work in Burma and India. He continued with the Military Affiliate Radio Systems (MARS) until he retired as a captain in 1988. He and his family were very proud of his service and it was an everyday occurrence to see him wearing his army cap or proudly walking in the Veterans’ Parade annually. He continued his involvement in radio communications through his hobby of HAM radio networking. Many mornings before heading off to work, he would connect with many of his “Ham” friends. Other hobbies he enjoyed were flyfishing, woodworking and tinkering and fixing anything and everything brought to his house by friends who “knew just who could figure this out.’ He was an avid member of the salmon clubs in Eddington and Veazie and was an integral part of building the new Eddington Salmon Clubhouse and took great pride in the many frames he constructed for auctions to raise funds for the club. Many hours were spent volunteering at the Conservation Club in Brewer and Leonard’s Mill Museum. His children and grandchildren learned many valuable lessons around the house as he poured himself into his many interests. As a grandfather, Fred Bean was a consummate teacher; grandchildren would be given drafting boards, T-squares, and triangles and told to “go to work.” He crafted wooden swords, bullroarers and boomerangs for eager children; he taught them fishing and woods lore or how to reset and keen the edge of a Snow and Nealley Axe to suit it for woods craft. All of this was done while spinning Maine folklore, that in retrospect, held deep lessons in safety, family and leadership. Those stories almost always began, “I think I’ve told you this story. Well, I’m going to tell it again…” Inevitably, grandpa would retell the tale in a way that was meaningful, if not fresh. The kitchen door to his home on Eastern Avenue in Brewer, was always unlocked; a steady stream of guests were welcomed to hear his stories, eat good food and play cribbage. His ham radio hummed in the background. And now and then the 2-meter broke into the conversation, a local ham would hail “W1YTQ”, Fred’s amateur radio call sign, to say “hello”, solicit advice or schedule a “meeting” at the local Burger King. Fred Bean is a legend. Not because of notoriety, but because of friends and family. His was the kind of spirit that welcomed everyone into his heart and home. Happiest around friends and family -and telling his life stories with pin-sharp detail- he never shied away from helping others. His legend spans more than a life-time of living life fully -from serving his country, raising a family, teaching generations and creating a haven for anyone in need. There will be many remembrances for those who knew Fred well: his love of farming, animals, camping, teaching, carpentry, story-telling and subtle humor. We’re so blessed to have had our time with Fred for all he taught us. It seems he knew just about everything, but was always happy to learn. His passing is a tremendous loss and yet he remains. He remains in the smell of freshly cut lumber, the crackle of a ham radio, the ring of a school bell, the grumble of an old tractor, the whip of a fishing rod, the creak of a wooden canoe and so much more. What he leaves behind is a legend -a humble man with a not-so-humble legacy, but a fulfilled one with grateful friends and family. He is dearly loved and will be sorely missed.
Fred was predeceased by his three brothers, Gerald, Merwin and Monroe; and his sister, Irma Bean. Also, his wife, Barbara Allen in 1960, his second wife, Adelma Sawyer in 1980 and his third wife, Elaine Winslow in 2011. He often would state he was a very fortunate man who was blessed with three wonderful wives; grandson, Nick Pickler and granddaughter, Kathy Anderson and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Janice and her husband, Bruce Anderson of Brewer, Judith and husband, John Foster, of Sinclair, and St Simon’s Island, Ga., James Sawyer and wife, Stacey, of San Diego, Sylvia Bean of Mt. Joy, Pa., Jean and husband, Al Bridges, of Brewer, Fred Bean Jr. and his wife, Kathy, of Akron, Ohio, Bruce Winslow and his wife, Joan, of Scarborough, Linda Grant and husband, Steven, of Texas; Connie Franklin and her husband, Fred, of Virginia, Lilian Worster and husband, Tim, of South Carolina;.26 grandchildren, David, Patricia, Jennifer, Christopher, Joel, Robert, Andrea, Jason, Beverly, Joshua, John, Joseph, Curtis, Carrie, Trevor, Devin, Amy, Cory, Lindsay, Jesse, Katie, Will, Kenzie, Jeff, Jerrett and Heather; and 31 great-grandchildren; many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. As Fred would say ‘ “W1YTQ” over and out’.
Funeral services will military honors will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 11:30 a.m. until time of service. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the Family Reception Rooms of Brookings-Smith, 55 S. Main St., Brewer, after the service. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fred’s name to the Penobscot County Conservation Association, at P.O. Box 605, Brewer, ME 04412. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.