Dr. Forrest Beam, Jr.

Dr. Forrest Beam died peacefully at home on Sunday October 11, 2015, just four days shy of his 92 birthday. Born in Sandersville, GA, he was the oldest of the children of Forrest Beam and Maude Reeves Beam. His sister, Helen Beam Hurt, and two brothers, Charles S. Beam and Dan Malone Beam predeceased him. His wife, Dorinda Lovell Beam, died in 1997. He is survived by his partner-in-life and best friend, Jo Ann Kelley, her children, Melissa Owen Kelley of South Harwich, Gregg Mason Kelley of Medfield and seven grandchildren Devin, Daniel, and Alessandra Kelley of Medfield, Abby Kelley of Hyannis and Katherine, Lucy and Sean Owen of South Harwich. David Baker Kelley of Hyannis, died in 2004. Other survivors include nieces Dr. Susan Hurt Tanner of Atlanta, GA, Ann Leahy of Cape May Court House, New Jersey, Constance Montourri of North Andover and nephews, Charles Randall Beam of Peach Tree City, GA, and George (Jack) Hill of Barnstable. Dr. Anthony Lovell died in 2008. Several cousins also survive.
Following graduation from the public school system of Washington County, Georgia, Dr. Beam attended Emory at Oxford, Emory University and graduated from Emory University School of Medicine in 1946. He was commissioned as LTJG MC US Navy in 1946, completed an internship at US Naval Hospital in Dublin, GA, and completed an assistant residency in surgery at Crawford Long Hospital in 1949. At this time he resigned from the Navy and headed North to Cape Cod where he set up a private practice of medicine at 1747 Hyannis Road in the village of Barnstable. He was a solo practitioner until October 31, 1989, when he closed his office. From 1991 to 1999 he was affiliated with the Employee Health Department of Cape Cod Hospital.
Dr. Beam joined the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1951. Over the next five decades he served on the Judicial Committee, By-Law Committee, Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, Nominating Committee and Legislative Committee. He was a member of the Barnstable District Medical Society, serving as President 1978 to 1980. A member of the American Medical Association since 1950, he remained a senior member at the time of his death. He held membership in the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians, serving as President and receiving the President’s award in 1994.
A staff member of Cape Cod Hospital from 1952 to 1999, he served as Chief of Staff 1961 to 1963, and the Board of Trustees 1980 to 1990. He was a charter member of Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for Medical Care and a member of the task force that created Pilgrim Health Care – 1984. He served as a member of the Medical Professional Advisory for the Visiting Nurse of Cape Cod, as well as the Safety Committee – Cape Cod Chapter of the Red Cross.
He loved the game of golf and continued to play beyond his 90 birthday. He was a Past President of the Cummaquid Golf Course, a former member of the Hyannis Port Club where he served on the Board of Directors, served on the Greens Committee of Kings Way Golf Course, served as President of The Centerville Beach Club, held office on the Kings Way Trust, and served on the Town of Yarmouth Police Department Task Force for Neighborhood Safety.
Dr. Beam was an avid reader and was a member of a Book Club for many years. He enjoyed lunch with a group of colleagues and friends who lunched together every other Thursday. He had hosted the group 3 days prior to his death.
He loved the PATS and was known among friends and family for his keen observations, predictions and passionate reaction to play.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Barnstable Village on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Garden Fund of St. Mary’s Church Main St., Barnstable 02630 or to Smile Train USA, 41 Madison Ave. 28th floor, New York, New York, 10010.

This is a courtesy announcement of May & Smith Funeral Directors.