Dr. Ernest Raymond Beaver

Dr. Ernest Raymond Beaver, age 93, of Rensselaer passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at George Ade Memorial Healthcare, Brook, IN. He was born February 1, 1916 in Pleasant Ridge, Jasper County, Indiana, the son of the late Flora (Elston) and Ernest Raymond Beaver, Sr.. He was a lifetime resident of Rensselaer. His marriage to Jeannette Chapman, with whom he recently celebrated 69 years of marriage, was on June 8, 1940, in Jerseyville, IL. A 1934 graduate of Rensselaer High School, he received his medical degree from Indiana University in 1940, and served his internship at City Hospital in Indianapolis from 1940-1942. From November 6, 1942 to March 8, 1946, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 130th Station Hospital in England, France and Germany, attaining the rank of Major. He was a family physician from December, 1946, until his retirement in 1978. During this 32 year span he was truly proud of the 2,203 babies that he delivered. Dr. Beaver served as the team physician for Saint Joseph College and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1996 for his many years of service to its athletic programs. One of his most memorable and cherished achievements was being named head physician for the Chicago Bears during their years at Saint Joseph College. Coach Halas and Dr. Beaver developed a long term association during these years. As a fifth grader, in 1926, he started as a caddy at Curtis Creek Country Club. It was there that he learned the game of golf and developed a lifetime passion for it. As a junior in high school he captured the 1933 Club Championship. His brother, Howard, won the title during his senior year in 1944. Together, they are the only two high school students ever to win the Club Championship in its history. At Indiana University he was captain and the number one player, along with his brother Howard who was the number two player, on the Varsity Golf Team in 1936. Upon returning to Rensselaer, Dr. Beaver became a devoted member of the Curtis Creek Country Club where he served as president of the Board of Directors for many years. He retained his passion for golf throughout his lifetime, and considered his six club championships as one of his greatest accomplishments. In 2005 he was proud to be inducted into the Rensselaer High School Sports Hall of Fame for his many years of golf achievement. Dr. Beaver was appointed by his former medical school classmate, the late Gov. Otis Bowen, to the Indiana Medical Licensing Board, where he later served as president. He was a former member of the Rensselaer Rotary and formerly served as Chairman of the Jasper County Republican Party. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Rensselaer. Along with his loving wife, Jeannette, Dr. Beaver is survived by his four children, James R. (Carole) Beaver of Rensselaer, Dr. Janet (Dr. Thomas) Schaub of Vernona, WI, Dr. Steven Beaver and Richard Beaver both of Rensselaer, five grandchildren, Shannon (Scott) Engelken, Erin Beaver, Eric Beaver, Signe (Joe) Carney and Stacey Johnasson, five great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and three sisters, Jane Thorup, Anne Cooley and Ms. Ellen Beaver, all of Jackson, MI. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Dr. Ernest Raymond Beaver

February 1, 1916 - July 22, 2009