Richard F. Beal

NORWAY – Richard F. Beal of Norway, Maine, passed away on July 7, 2021, at Maine Medical Center with his wife and son at his side.

Richard was born in Brunswick, on October 20, 1944, and was adopted five months later by Blanche and Edmund Beal. He was joined by his adopted brother, Donald, four years later. Richard spent his childhood in many New England towns as his father, a Universalist minister, served churches throughout the region. Beals Island, where the family returned every summer, was the place he most considered home and where his ashes will be scattered. During his early years, he clammed, raked blueberries, dug worms and ran an ice cream stand. He also treasured his memories of teenage summers working on a small dairy farm in South China.

Richard graduated from Thornton Academy in Saco and spent eight years working his way through Goddard College in Vermont, a transformative decision for him. Those years were the beginning of his activism and commitment to social justice and an appreciation for the diversity and creativity in the world and its people.

He met his wife, Joan, at a camp for emotionally disturbed boys where they served as counselors. They were partners in many endeavors throughout their 49-year marriage. During the early years, they ran a non-profit group home/farm in Downeast Maine for foster children and adjudicated teenagers. Their son, Barney Eben, was born during these years, in 1973.

They moved on to manage a psychiatric halfway house in Boston, and Richard later entered Harvard Divinity School, where he obtained his Masters in Divinity and began his 30-year career as a Unitarian Universalist minister. He served churches in Northborough and Westborough, MA, Dexter and Sangerville, ME, Louisville, KY, Auckland, New Zealand, Troy, MI, and Brunswick, ME, eventually finishing his career with a ministry in Norway and West Paris ME. He was honored with the designation of Minister Emeritus in Louisville, KY and also in West Paris ME.

Richard had a heartfelt commitment to social justice and activism, beginning with the peace and civil rights movements in the ‘60’s and continuing through the final months of his life. He served on the Boards of the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union, the Louisville NAACP, Religious Leaders for Fairness, and the NAACP Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition. He attended and helped organize more rallies, vigils and protests than can be counted. In Maine, he worked for Marriage Equality and, until he was no longer able, attended every Pride March.

Richard was a founding member of the UU Partner Church Council, which established ties between UU churches in the U.S. with other Unitarian and Universalist congregations throughout the world. He was deeply committed to the Unitarian congregations in the Transylvania region of Romania, making numerous visits and establishing valued friendships with other ministers, students, and congregation members. He also involved himself in administrative work for the Unitarian Universalist Association, serving on a number of task forces and district offices.

Richard was a loving father and grandfather and enjoyed camping trips, cooking, travel, gardening, and visits with family. He was proud of and interested in the loving life that his son and his family have established for themselves. He especially loved bookstores and considered a book the perfect gift.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his brother, Donald. He is survived by his wife, Joan, his son, Barney (Liz) and grandson, Jayden, as well as a sister-in-law, Pamela Beal, and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He will be missed and remembered with affection by the people in the numerous congregations in which he served.

His family is grateful for the caring and dedicated treatment that Richard received from Western Maine Internal Medicine, Stephens Hospital, Maine Medical Center and Androscoggin Home Care and to all those who have reached out with words of support and love.

Chandler Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements. A memorial celebration of Richard’s life will be held in September at Norway Universalist Church.

Memorial donations in Richard’s memory may be made to First Universalist Church of Norway,

479 Main St.

Norway, ME 04268

or West Paris Universalist Church,

West Paris, ME 04289.