John Philip Beam

Lebanon – John Philip Beam, 93, died in Hartford on September 8, 2025. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on December 23, 1931, the son of Harold and Bessie (Welliver) Beam.

Phil came from a family of bricklayers, and as a young man became a skilled journeyman bricklayer himself winning the national bricklaying championship in 1952. Despite his later academic pursuits, he always valued hands-on vocations. Later in life, he built a beautiful set of brick steps for his daughter, Phyllis.

He married the love of his life, Helen Rightmyer, in 1953. Upon their return from their honeymoon, there was a draft notice in the mail. He served in the US Army for two years and during this time, two sons were born, Jon and Harold (Ed). Upon discharge, he and Helen moved to State College Pennsylvania. There he earned a Bachler’s and Master Degree in Physics at Penn State University and worked at the Ordinance Research Lab (ORL) at the university from 1960 to 1965. During this time, he and Helen welcomed their two daughters, Dianne and Phyllis.

While supporting his family, he pursued a career in science, ultimately earning a PhD in physics from Pennsylvania State University. In 1965, he joined the Naval Underwater Systems Center in New London. While working in underwater acoustics at NUSC, he and his family were stationed in Bermuda two different times, in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They all loved their time there, which included building a boat for the family. He retired in 1994.

Phil loved travel and adventure. He made many long motorcycle trips from Connecticut straight through to Los Angeles, up through Canada and Alaska and even riding north of the Arctic Circle. After retirement, he walked all the way from the east coast to the west coast, with Helen accompanying him in their motor home. He later wrote a book about this trek, Walking Across America. He also was an enthusiastic amateur photographer and an avid volunteer (hospitals, Willimantic and Backus, Mystic Seaport, teaching English as a second language and St Mathews House in Naples Florida).

He and Helen wintered in their retirement years in Naples, Florida.

Phil is survived by his wife of 72 years, Helen, sons Jon Beam and Ed Beam (and fiancée Michelle), and daughters Dianne Gray (and husband Donald) and Phyllis Beam (and husband James Lambros). He is also survived by his brother, Harold Beam (and wife Barbara), 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren (with one more on the way).

Family and friends may visit on Friday, September 19, at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, where a funeral service will be held at 5:30 PM and calling hours will be 4 PM till 6PM. A separate celebration of life will be held at a later date, at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthew’s House, Naples, Florida (Bianca @ 239-774-0500 ext.309).