- Date Of Birth: August 12, 1930
- Date Of Death: September 20, 2017
- State: Indiana
Mr. Ralph W. Beam, Sr., 87, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 6:02 pm.
He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 12, 1930 to the late Arthur D. and Ursula Mae (Cunningham) Beam. He later married Catherine L. Zwastetzky on Apr. 12, 1954 in Maryland. She survives at home.
Also surviving are his children Mary (Jerry) Wolfinger of Osceola, Ralph (Kay) Beam, Jr. of Mishawaka, Robert Beam of Indianapolis, Patrice (Paul) Modlin of Wakarusa and Richard (Connie) Beam, Pamela (Jim) Peterson and William Beam, all of Elkhart. 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren survive as well.
Ralph was never one to scoff at a hard day’s work. He was a pipefitter and heavy equipment operator at NIPSCO in Elkhart for nearly 35 years, along with working Nickles Bakery as well for 20 years.
He also loved to travel, and his favorite destinations included Gatlinburg, Ft. Myers Beach, Myrtle Beach and Williamsburg. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean War.
