A Life Well Lived
Norman Joseph Beauchamp Sr. a remarkable man uniquely committed to his family and to God, went to be with the Lord and his wife Anne on Friday, September 16, 2016. His was a great life of 80 years.
His journey started May 15, 1936 in Gladstone, Michigan. He was the first of six sons born to William F. Beauchamp and Agnes M. (Plouff) Beauchamp. His youth was characterized by excelling at sports, hard work in support of his family, and unsurpassed academic ability. He played with the varsity high school baseball players while still in middle school, excelled in hockey and baseball in high school, and earned an academic scholarship to Michigan Technological Institute. While there, he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to become a “rocket scientist” designing radars and jet propulsion systems including those for the Apollo Missions. Prior to starting his family, he spent his discretionary time with a traveling fast pitch softball team. Known for his unhittable knuckleball, he was one of the few people to ever defeat the national traveling team, the King and His Court (The King and his Court was the fast pitch equivalent of the Harlem Globe Trotters).
As proud as he was of his career, his primary focus was his family. He found his soul mate in Anne Marie Maguire while attending a young adult church group. Married May 20, 1961 at St. Eugene Catholic Church in Los Angeles, they found a joy that comes when two people truly complete each other. His career in aerospace took them to Mississippi, Louisiana and then Massachusetts. Norman left his career in aerospace when he and Anne decided it would be better for their children to have a rural upbringing in Michigan. In preparation, Norman obtained an MBA from Babson College and his CPA. This enabled him to turn his analytical skills to improving computer systems for the state of Michigan working for the Office of the Auditor General. In this role, he found his greatest satisfaction in mentoring the individuals that reported to him.
It was his ability to guide that defined his approach to raising his four children. He had an uncanny ability to know what to say and when to say it and in knowing what to do and when to do it. He was unrelenting in his support for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Norman had a great devotion to his patron Saint Joseph, “Protector of the Holy Family”. He was obedient to whatever God asked of him. His lunch breaks involved attending noon mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lansing and Sunday mass was at St. Joseph’s in St. Johns. His commitment to serving those in need was carried out through his active participation in the Knights of Columbus and the Rotary. Norman served as the treasurer for the state of Michigan Lions Club. Norman also volunteered as a little league baseball Coach.
Norman is survived by his four children; Dr. William (Erika) Beauchamp of Ashland City, TN, Mary (Tim) Beauchamp of St. Johns, MI, Dr. Norman Beauchamp Jr. (Kristina) of Bellevue, WA, and Cheryl (Robert) Wieber of Palm City, FL. He is also survived by several grandchildren; Tricia Beauchamp, Christopher (Anna) Beauchamp, Jessica (Luke) Bishop, Sydney Beauchamp, MacKenzie Beauchamp, Will (Kayla) Horton, Julie Lantagne, Craig Lantagne, Jeffrey Theodorski, Jake Beauchamp, Luke Beauchamp, Zachary Wieber, and Gracie Wieber, great-grandchildren; Eden, Wyatt, Collin, Gus, Ezra, Micah Jane, Amos, Camden, Oliver, Jayce, Haiden, and Michael. Norman is also survived by three brothers; Jim (Pat) Beauchamp of Flat Rock, MI, Duane (Glenda) Beauchamp of Flat Rock, MI, and Alan (Denise) Beauchamp of Kenosha, WI.
By the grace of God, over the past three years, Norman has enjoyed many wonderful memories with Eileen Threehouse. Eileen and Norman met through Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lapeer, MI.
Norman was predeceased by his wife Anne, parents William and Agnes Beauchamp, mother and father-in-law Frank and Mary Maguire and two brothers; Robert (Lorraine) Beauchamp and Ronald Beauchamp.
The family extends thanks to the many loving and talented hands at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Martin Health System, McLaren Regional Medical Center, Cardiology Consultants of East Michigan, Dr. K Vemuri, and the Departments of Urology at the University of Michigan and the University of Washington.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 Linden Ave. St. Johns, Michigan on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 22, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. with a Vigil and Rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, 104 E. Cass Street, St. Johns, MI. Burial will take place at Flat Rock Cemetery in Gladstone, Michigan, on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church Stained Glass window fund, in Memory of Norman and Anne Beauchamp. On line condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.
