Ben E. Beaird, Sr.
Ben E. Beaird, Sr.; age 96; of LaGrange Park, IL passed away peacefully on December 16, 2021. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years Bettye. He is survived by sons Ben Jr. (CeCe) and Brian W. (Deb) Beaird; grandchildren Briana (Mike) Stover, Ben III (Katie) Beaird, Christina (Brian) Barreda, and Brian P. (Lauren) Beaird; and great-grandchildren Gavin, Emerson, and Logan Beaird; Maxwell and Margaret Stover; Tyler and Andres Barreda and Jackson Beaird; brother Harold (Rosemary) Beaird; and nephew David (Lisa) Beaird.
After serving as a pilot in the US Air Force during WWII, Ben graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Methodist University. He then worked his entire career for CPC International, moving his family from Texas to Kansas City to Illinois. A consummate family man, talented engineer, and avid aviator, Ben designed, built, and flew many RC model airplanes and boats throughout his life, and was an active member of the Palos RC Flying Club. His example also inspired his sons and others to become engineers and build and fly their own full-scale aircraft.
The family plans a small celebration after the first of the year. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the First United Methodist Church of LaGrange, 100 W. Cossitt Ave., La Grange, IL 60525 or to the Community Nurse Health Association, Pillars Community Health, c/o Philanthropy, 23 Calendar Ave., La Grange, IL 60525 are appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside at 708-352-6500.
God Bless this fine and accomplished man. I met Ben decades ago and flew radio control (RC) with him for many years. A highly accomplished builder and flier, we always enjoyed his presence at flying events. Late in his RC life Ben became an indoor flier (circa 2015). At one of our gatherings in the then-new McCook Max where we had nearly 100,000 square feet to fly in and 45-foot ceilings Ben managed to “hide” his plane in the air. After others stopped flying and attempted to find Ben’s plane we all nearly gave up when the Max management lowered the rolled-up walls separating the indoor soccer fields. Lo and behold, Ben’s plane resumed flight to its recovery, undamaged. While vision challenges were present they did not halt his will and desire to fly. We will miss him!
RIP Ben, fellow Palos R/C member, love the greatest generation.
I first met Ben when I joined Corn Products in 1976 as a young engineer. Within a couple of years, there were 3 supervisors who saw something in me that I didn’t recognize–Russ Pierson, my immediate supervisor, Ben Beaird. project management supervisor, and Rey Meadowcroft, Engineering Department supervisor. Ben had several long talks with me, but I didn’t recognize what he had in mind. Ben, Russ and Rey decided that I had the capability and temperament to manage capital projects. So they shocked me by asking me to manage the engineering (as well as the mechanical portion) for 2 new plants in Latin America, which became models for a number of plants on other continents. That set me on a course to manage the engineering, construction and startups of a number of larger, more complicated, more expensive plants in numerous countries for the next 25 years. With the help of Corn Products’ most talented engineers, they were all completed, worked well and are still operating. I never expected my career to take such a path. I owe a lot to Ben, Russ and Rey. They had WISDOM, an increasingly rare commodity in today’s world. Thanks, Ben!