Major Robert Stuart Bean, (USAF, Ret.), 92, of Elkton, MD, passed away peacefully May 9, 2014 at Somerford Place in Newark, DE. Born in Philadelphia, PA on October 1, 1921, Robert was the son of the late Herbert S. and Marguerite Diffenbach Bean. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after a distinguished career asContinue Reading
Major Robert Stuart Bean, (USAF, Ret.), 92, of Elkton, MD, passed away peacefully May 9, 2014 at Somerford Place in Newark, DE.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on October 1, 1921, Robert was the son of the late Herbert S. and Marguerite Diffenbach Bean. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after a distinguished career as a multi-engine combat pilot, flying in both the Pacific Theater during the Second World War, and in Korea. Following his military service, he had a long career with the state of Maryland as a parole and probation officer. Mr. Bean has left a large group of close friends spanning many walks of life internationally, and will be remembered as a loyal, patriotic, and whimsically humorous man, and father. He most loved planes, trains, dogs, and his yearly travels to Germany and Switzerland. Bob had the valuable ability to make instant friendships during his many travels, and was able to sustain those friendships across time.
He is survived by two sons, Cary Bean of Santa Rosa, CA and Timothy Bean of Elkton, MD; and two daughters, Judith Bean of Oakland, CA and Diane Thisell of Newark DE; and five grandchildren.
A service honoring his life will be held at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, 318 George St., Chesapeake City, MD on Saturday May 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 1:00. Burial with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery will be held Wednesday September 10, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. To send condolences,visit www.rtfoard.com.
Betty Reynolds
left a message on September 9, 2014:
I was lucky enough and very honored to get to know Major Bean by attending events at the Somerford Assisted Living facility where he lived for the last few years of his life. I asked him if he would walk me down the aisle if I held my wedding there at Somerford and it was like I had given him a million bucks. He wore his military dress and was decorated to the hilt. When we got to the alter he didn't want to let me go. Upon his death, they found a picture of him and I in his bible. It makes me cry every time I remember how much that meant to him and how much he meant to me. He was my Dad for a day and I will always thank him for those memories and all the stories he sat and told me and for always treating me special when I visited the Massey Air Museum events and the Somerford events. I miss him so very much but I know he's one of my guardian angels now flying high.
Jesse Bragg
left a message on May 23, 2014:
Bob was a great friend and I am very sad to hear of his passing. He and my mother, Christine had many great memories together and for that I thank him. He was a great guy and a true hero. He will be missed. God bless you Bob Bean
Ann Hitman
left a message on May 20, 2014:
It was an honor to have known such a remarkable man. When his casket was closed it was like closing a History Book.
sandy zimmerman
left a message on May 17, 2014:
Major was such a joy to be around and stories he shared I will never forget. Rest in peace my friend.
Sherri LaMonica
left a message on May 16, 2014:
Diane, I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless. Sherri
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Susan Russell
left a message on May 14, 2014:
I so sorry for your loss. I don't think I ever new anyone who lived his life as fully as Major Bean. I will miss him.
Edward Mckeown
left a message on May 14, 2014:
To the family of Major Robert Stuart Bean, USAF ( RET) So sorry for your loss. He will be surely missed by so many,he was very proud of his country of which he served well. I knew Maj. Bean as my wife and I would see him at the many Dinners Honoring our Veterans. We would always do the National Anthem. His memories will always be in your hearts and I know he now has joined his fellow Veterans where they are now in the hands of God. God Bless
Walt & Jane Wassmer
left a message on May 14, 2014:
Our most sincere sympathy goes out to Bob's entire family. I am so happy to have known and to have flown with Bob in the past. Bob was an excellent pilot and a very good friend. He will be missed. May God Bless. Walt and Jane Wassmer Conowingo, Md.
Dr. Edward E. Boas, Jr.
left a message on May 14, 2014:
It was a joy to have known and shared time with Bob. He loved aviation and was always nice to share time and stories with at the airport and other aviation activities. He will be missed.
Marianne E. Scullin
left a message on May 14, 2014:
I'm proud to say I knew this amazing man. I loved hearing all his stories when I served him at the bar in the Bayard House. He was really something. My loving thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. You are loved and missed Major Bean. xo
Magen Weight
left a message on May 13, 2014:
(wouldn't let me post in life stories) Major Bean will always be remembered as Beanie Baby in my book :-) He had a laugh that was contagious and all the girls at Cracker Barrel loved him <3 He was my favorite person to see come in the door. The first time I met him I thought he was going to be this grumpy old man (with his awesome bomber jacket on) who was sitting at my table all by himself. Once he started telling my stories though of him flying I thought he was the coolest! I went home to tell my dad (my dad loves history) and he said he knew exactly who that was! I was shocked! When my grandparents had Mothers Kitchen in Elkton many years ago Bean came in all the time and my mom was his waitress!! The guys from Parole and Probation (Major, Vernon & Hue) would come in and had made strong friendships with my family. After all these years of them not seeing each other I become Beans waitress!! God put him back in our lives for some reason and I am so thankful that He did. He would come in almost every day to see the Cracker Barrel girls and sometimes he would bring people with him too :-) He was ornery as all get out but had a heart of gold. He was definitely an All-American HERO to many. He was always doing something silly like putting maple syrup in his coffee instead of on his pancakes, if a girl touched his shoulder he would start purring and if there was a pretty lady walking by he would make sure he voiced it. I didn't get to spend too much time with him outside of working at Cracker Barrel but he did come to my church Easter play, came to my dads benefit when he ran for sheriff, and came and danced with me at my wedding day :-) He wasn't just a CB regular to me he was part of my family. My only living grandparent is living in Florida, but he was like a grandfather to me <3 He will be greatly missed but knowing he is in Heaven having a great time makes it so much easier. Love you Beanie Baby and cant wait to see you again when I get to Heaven.
Magen Weight
left a message on May 13, 2014:
Major Bean aka Beanie Baby will always hold a special place in my heart. He has been like a grandfather to me over the years and I am so blessed to have met him. He had some of the craziest off the wall stories that you could never tell if it was truth or fiction (most of the time it was true though), had a contagious laugh, loved showing off his card shuffling tricks, and loved to talk about Germany, Switzerland, planes & trains! Will never forget the talks and memories made with him. Even though I'm sad now I know you have no more pain and are having a blast in Heaven! Love you Beanie Baby <3
Laura S.
left a message on May 13, 2014:
Will love you for always beanie baby! You always had a smile on your face and always put a smile on mine. You were such a great person. Everyone will always cherish their memories with you as much as I do. Will miss you, but know you're in a better place! <3
William Dougherty
left a message on May 12, 2014:
“GONE WEST” Everyone at Massey was a friend of Bob Bean, he is sorely missed. Out of respect, he was often referred to simply as “The Major.” Bob based his Stearman at Massey soon after the airport opened; for the first Christmas Party we decorated the plane and he set up his favorite train layout. We knew Bob because of his love of aviation, we looked forward to his visits when he would regale us with his adventure stories. Several times we attended the Reading World War II Weekend when Don Sloan would display the Stearman that he had bought from Bob. While wearing his bomber jacket, Bob took delight in teasing the German reenactors by conducting a mock interrogation starting with a demand to see their documents. In good fun, some were actually able to produce ID papers upon which Bob would declare the papers to be “in order” and dismiss them to the POW camp. It was humbling to witness the reaction of young Warbird pilots when Bob explained he flew 40 B-24 missions in the Pacific then flew Forward Air Controller “Mosquito” missions in Korea. It’s sad to see the veterans go - as they must. “Not alone into the sunset but into the company of friends who have gone before them”
Robert W. Moreland II
left a message on May 10, 2014:
Major Bean was a great man who will be sadly missed. So many memories of a good man, from surprise visits in Germany to cat butts and cat beer, wry smiles to conspiratorial winks and everything in between. Blue skies and fast trains Major...
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Show More
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Betty Reynolds
left a message on September 9, 2014:
I was lucky enough and very honored to get to know Major Bean by attending events at the Somerford Assisted Living facility where he lived for the last few years of his life. I asked him if he would walk me down the aisle if I held my wedding there at Somerford and it was like I had given him a million bucks. He wore his military dress and was decorated to the hilt. When we got to the alter he didn't want to let me go. Upon his death, they found a picture of him and I in his bible. It makes me cry every time I remember how much that meant to him and how much he meant to me. He was my Dad for a day and I will always thank him for those memories and all the stories he sat and told me and for always treating me special when I visited the Massey Air Museum events and the Somerford events. I miss him so very much but I know he's one of my guardian angels now flying high.
Jesse Bragg
left a message on May 23, 2014:
Bob was a great friend and I am very sad to hear of his passing. He and my mother, Christine had many great memories together and for that I thank him. He was a great guy and a true hero. He will be missed. God bless you Bob Bean
Ann Hitman
left a message on May 20, 2014:
It was an honor to have known such a remarkable man. When his casket was closed it was like closing a History Book.
sandy zimmerman
left a message on May 17, 2014:
Major was such a joy to be around and stories he shared I will never forget. Rest in peace my friend.
Sherri LaMonica
left a message on May 16, 2014:
Diane, I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless. Sherri
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Susan Russell
left a message on May 14, 2014:
I so sorry for your loss. I don't think I ever new anyone who lived his life as fully as Major Bean. I will miss him.
Edward Mckeown
left a message on May 14, 2014:
To the family of Major Robert Stuart Bean, USAF ( RET) So sorry for your loss. He will be surely missed by so many,he was very proud of his country of which he served well. I knew Maj. Bean as my wife and I would see him at the many Dinners Honoring our Veterans. We would always do the National Anthem. His memories will always be in your hearts and I know he now has joined his fellow Veterans where they are now in the hands of God. God Bless
Walt & Jane Wassmer
left a message on May 14, 2014:
Our most sincere sympathy goes out to Bob's entire family. I am so happy to have known and to have flown with Bob in the past. Bob was an excellent pilot and a very good friend. He will be missed. May God Bless. Walt and Jane Wassmer Conowingo, Md.
Dr. Edward E. Boas, Jr.
left a message on May 14, 2014:
It was a joy to have known and shared time with Bob. He loved aviation and was always nice to share time and stories with at the airport and other aviation activities. He will be missed.
Marianne E. Scullin
left a message on May 14, 2014:
I'm proud to say I knew this amazing man. I loved hearing all his stories when I served him at the bar in the Bayard House. He was really something. My loving thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. You are loved and missed Major Bean. xo
Magen Weight
left a message on May 13, 2014:
(wouldn't let me post in life stories) Major Bean will always be remembered as Beanie Baby in my book :-) He had a laugh that was contagious and all the girls at Cracker Barrel loved him <3 He was my favorite person to see come in the door. The first time I met him I thought he was going to be this grumpy old man (with his awesome bomber jacket on) who was sitting at my table all by himself. Once he started telling my stories though of him flying I thought he was the coolest! I went home to tell my dad (my dad loves history) and he said he knew exactly who that was! I was shocked! When my grandparents had Mothers Kitchen in Elkton many years ago Bean came in all the time and my mom was his waitress!! The guys from Parole and Probation (Major, Vernon & Hue) would come in and had made strong friendships with my family. After all these years of them not seeing each other I become Beans waitress!! God put him back in our lives for some reason and I am so thankful that He did. He would come in almost every day to see the Cracker Barrel girls and sometimes he would bring people with him too :-) He was ornery as all get out but had a heart of gold. He was definitely an All-American HERO to many. He was always doing something silly like putting maple syrup in his coffee instead of on his pancakes, if a girl touched his shoulder he would start purring and if there was a pretty lady walking by he would make sure he voiced it. I didn't get to spend too much time with him outside of working at Cracker Barrel but he did come to my church Easter play, came to my dads benefit when he ran for sheriff, and came and danced with me at my wedding day :-) He wasn't just a CB regular to me he was part of my family. My only living grandparent is living in Florida, but he was like a grandfather to me <3 He will be greatly missed but knowing he is in Heaven having a great time makes it so much easier. Love you Beanie Baby and cant wait to see you again when I get to Heaven.
Magen Weight
left a message on May 13, 2014:
Major Bean aka Beanie Baby will always hold a special place in my heart. He has been like a grandfather to me over the years and I am so blessed to have met him. He had some of the craziest off the wall stories that you could never tell if it was truth or fiction (most of the time it was true though), had a contagious laugh, loved showing off his card shuffling tricks, and loved to talk about Germany, Switzerland, planes & trains! Will never forget the talks and memories made with him. Even though I'm sad now I know you have no more pain and are having a blast in Heaven! Love you Beanie Baby <3
Laura S.
left a message on May 13, 2014:
Will love you for always beanie baby! You always had a smile on your face and always put a smile on mine. You were such a great person. Everyone will always cherish their memories with you as much as I do. Will miss you, but know you're in a better place! <3
William Dougherty
left a message on May 12, 2014:
“GONE WEST” Everyone at Massey was a friend of Bob Bean, he is sorely missed. Out of respect, he was often referred to simply as “The Major.” Bob based his Stearman at Massey soon after the airport opened; for the first Christmas Party we decorated the plane and he set up his favorite train layout. We knew Bob because of his love of aviation, we looked forward to his visits when he would regale us with his adventure stories. Several times we attended the Reading World War II Weekend when Don Sloan would display the Stearman that he had bought from Bob. While wearing his bomber jacket, Bob took delight in teasing the German reenactors by conducting a mock interrogation starting with a demand to see their documents. In good fun, some were actually able to produce ID papers upon which Bob would declare the papers to be “in order” and dismiss them to the POW camp. It was humbling to witness the reaction of young Warbird pilots when Bob explained he flew 40 B-24 missions in the Pacific then flew Forward Air Controller “Mosquito” missions in Korea. It’s sad to see the veterans go - as they must. “Not alone into the sunset but into the company of friends who have gone before them”
Robert W. Moreland II
left a message on May 10, 2014:
Major Bean was a great man who will be sadly missed. So many memories of a good man, from surprise visits in Germany to cat butts and cat beer, wry smiles to conspiratorial winks and everything in between. Blue skies and fast trains Major...
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.