Richard S. Beamgard

Richard S. Beamgard, age 78, of Northville, passed away on July 21, 2025. He was born on May 10, 1947 in Hays, Kansas; son of Donald I. and Urla June (Argabright) Beamgard. Richard was united in marriage to Cheryl J. Tongish on May 22, 1971; they spent over 54 years dedicated to their love and family.

Dick, as he was known to his family and friends, graduated from Atwood High School with the Class of 1965 and continued his education at the University of Kansas, where he earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Naval Science and Military Leadership. Dick was commissioned into the Navy as an Ensign due to his dedication to ROTC and proudly served from 1970 to 1977. He deeply loved his time in the Navy, where he served as a flight instructor and had the honor of teaching Kuwaiti pilots how to fly—an accomplishment he was especially proud of.

Dick went on to achieve multiple master’s degrees—one in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and two from the University of West Florida in Program Management and Business Administration. Highly intelligent and driven, he was always striving to expand his knowledge and education. In 1977, Dick began his engineering career with Ford Motor Company, where his loyalty and dedication were evident throughout his years of service. He retired in 2002 as a Program Manager, a role he was proud to have earned through hard work and commitment.

Dick was a man of many talents and passions. While living in Dearborn, he discovered his first serious hobby—creating stunning stained-glass pieces. His beautiful artwork can be found in many homes and in his hometown church in Atwood, Kansas. After returning from Japan, his interests shifted as he developed a deep appreciation for Oriental-inspired design. This led him to create a breathtaking backyard oasis for his family, complete with a multi-level koi pond, hand-crafted cement benches, and decorative dragons. If you knew Dick, you knew he never did anything on a small scale.

A true collector at heart, Dick had a fascination with unique and timeless treasures, including cast iron banks, antique radios, and coins. One of his favorite places to shop was Home Depot, where he was always on the lookout for new tools—even if he already owned one (or two) of the same kind. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was always tinkering with new ideas and projects.

A significant part of Dick’s life was dedicated to teaching his sons how to build a business from the ground up. His creative mind was always brimming with ideas, some of which turned into successful ventures with his son, Doug. Flipping houses became his favorite business pursuit, and his hard work and expertise were evident in every home they transformed. The knowledge he passed on remains a lasting gift to his family.

Flying, however, was Dick’s greatest passion. He loved taking his family to Willow Run Airport, where he stored his private plane, and they would often take trips to visit family in Kansas or travel to car shows in other states. Adventurous and spirited, Dick was always ready for the next trip or experience. As a flight instructor until 2018, he shared this passion with others, teaching aspiring pilots to take to the skies.

Above all else, Dick was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. His family was his greatest joy, and his legacy of love, hard work, and adventure will live on in those who knew and loved him.

Dick is survived by his wife Cheryl; his sons, Douglas (Meghan) Beamgard and Jhon Beamgard; his brother Kent (Corinna) Beamgard; and his granddaughters, Mary-Jane, Madison, and Norah. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 27, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held Monday, July 28, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. Pastor Robert Miller with Plymouth First United Methodist Church will officiate the service. Dick will be laid to rest at following the funeral service at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, Michigan where military honors will be rendered. Please arrive at Great Lakes National Cemetery no later than 12:45 p.m. for the scheduled 1:00 p.m. service.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Dick, who gave selflessly to many charitable organizations throughout his life.