David Clarke Beard

David “Dave” Clarke Beard, DOB 8.18.1946 died peacefully 7.3.26 at home in Grand Haven, Michigan, surrounded by his wife and three children. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Alice (nee Linsley), children: Robin Bach (Jim) of Madison WI; Angela Strealy (Jokton) of Valdosta, GA; and Jonathan Beard (Hiromi Kaneko) of Franklin, Tennessee. He is also survived by a brother: Rodger Beard (Dede) of Tucson, Az and a sister: Linda Harmon (Lenny) of Ojai, Ca.

Dave was born in Lansing Michigan and then spent most of his childhood in Grand Ledge, Michigan. He left home at 18 to serve honorably in the Marine Corps during Vietnam. After his discharge he began a long career in various aspects of insurance over three decades. He worked primarily with large corporations helping to broker insurance products to cover large scale operations worldwide throughout the 1980s – 2000s.

Dave was also a consummate home renovator and architecture fan. Dave and Alice worked together on many properties in several states over the years: First Michigan, then California, then Wisconsin, then Tennessee, then both Georgia and Michigan prior to his passing. His love of landscape design and interesting plantings was always evident, and he cultivated the best lawns on any block he lived.

He was most proud of his three children and grandchildren: Orazio “Razi”, Arion “Ari”, Fianna “Fifi” Strealy; Axel Bach and Sophia Kaneko-Beard. His greatest joy were their visits.

Dave preferred not to have a service and would instead like any remembrances anyone would care to make directed to Semper Fi & America’s Fund (https://thefund.org/donate/) – An organization which especially works with Vietnam Veterans affected by Agent Orange exposure.

The family is grateful for the incredible services provided by Corewell Hospice and Emily Dorman, RN as well as Michigan Cremation and Funeral Care.