Aside from his forty-year career as a family physician, Dr. Robert “Doc” Beam wore many hats. His numerous talents included cooking, gardening, woodworking, glass and paperweight making, and providing beautiful things for his wife of fifty-five years, Sally, to use for decorating. Bob was a member of the Springfield Rotary Club and had a strong connection to the Springfield Museum of Art. He gave much of his time, talent and treasure to the museum beginning in 1990 when he started teaching stained glass classes using multiple media from copper foiling to glass beads. Bob continued teaching until his death in November 2005.

Sally shared her many talents with the community through her involvement in numerous local organizations. One such organization was the local Alpha Chi Omega Alumni Club. Through her involvement with her sorority’s alumni club, she developed strong connections with many in the community who shared a common bond and who stood together for women’s rights. Sally remained very active until the few short months prior to her passing in August 2008.

Although Bob and Sally are no longer with us, their life’s passions have become a part of the legacy they have left to our community. Upon Sally’s death, the Foundation received a gift from a Charitable Trust they had established during their lives. The gift will be used to create the Robert B. and Sally Ann Beam Endowment Fund. Robert and Sally directed the Foundation to distribute the annual income generated from their gift to three (3) organizations. Through their generosity, the Springfield Museum of Art will receive support for its glass studio. The Springfield Rotary Club Foundation will receive income to be used for their Charles Fox Scholarship Fund and Alpha Chi Omega Foundation will receive a portion of the Fund’s income for their unrestricted use.

Their association with each of these organizations was unique and very fulfilling and certainly inspired their generosity. We are grateful to Robert and Sally for their gift and for the impact it will have. Through the power of one gift, Robert and Sally’s legacy will benefit our community in many ways... For good. For ever.

Establish your own Charitable Trust. For more information, contact at 937.324.8773.