William D. Beasley ’51

William D. Beasley ’51, known by his family, friends and Hanover neighbors as “a gentle soul who thrived on helping others,” died in Boston on October 31, 2012. He is survived by four children, including his daughter Faith, who is a professor of French and women and gender studies at Dartmouth. He also leaves six grandchildren. Bill lived in Hanover following his 1988 retirement from a 30-year career in the international division of the Upjohn Co. (pharmaceuticals). He loved to read and was a lifelong learner, regularly taking classes through the Institute for Lifelong Education at Dartmouth. He volunteered for years as a tax return preparer and served on the board of Brook Haven condominiums, where he lived. Giving back was a consistent theme in his life; in earlier years he was a member of the school board and library board in Plainwell, Michigan. Bill came to Dartmouth from Springfield (Ohio) High School. He stayed for three years before transferring to Ohio State University, from which he earned a bachelor’s and master’s in history. Following graduation he served for two years in the U.S. Army in Munich, Germany. Bill’s great loves included his family, classical music, photography, film, travel, history and Dartmouth. Classmates attending his funeral service in Hanover were Mike Choukas, Loye Miller and Jerry Mitchell.