Deceased February 28, 2015

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In Memory

Beige came to Amherst from Deerfield Academy. At Amherst he pledged Chi Psi, became varsity basketball manager his senior year, was a member of the glee club all four years, played golf his freshman year and was active in CA freshman year.

In 1942 he successfully entered the U.S. Navy V-7 program, accelerated his education, graduated the end of January 1943, went off to midshipmen school and was commissioned an ensign USNR in June of 1943.

He had dated Lorna "Teedie" Farley while at Deerfield and Amherst, and after he was commissioned, he and Teedie married on July 3, 1943. He was assigned to amphibious forces training for the Normandy invasion, successfully and safely took part in the Normandy landing and resupply. He then was reassigned to the midshipmen school at Cornell as an instructor where he remained for the balance of the war. He left the service with the rank of full lieutenant.

He returned to Rochester where he became a junior partner in a family wholesale auto parts and equipment business. The business merged with another auto parts firm. He was unhappy about this merger so he resigned and opened his own auto parts store—Babcock Auto Supply—in Pittsford at age 42. It was a tough go at first, but survived and prospered over the years. He sold the business when he reached 65 years in 1985.

He and Teedie had a great marriage—nine children over the years. They became a close family.

When the kids were growing up, they bought a horse. Teedie and the kids built a barn for him so he wouldn't be too cold in the winter—some feat!

In 1993 they bought a restored 1820 house in East Orleans, Cape Cod. They lived on Cape Cod from September to May and in Pittsford during the summer when the Cape Cod house was handed over to the kids. Cape Cod is not all that tough in the winterm and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Beige was able to play golf both spring and fall. For a while he had a small boat equipped with a small outboard very handy for crabbing. Marcia and I would see Beige and Teedie when they stopped in Amherst in May on their way from Cape Cod back to Pittsford.

A big family reunion was held on Beige's 90th birthday. All nine families were there including a daughter who came all the way from Taiwan.

Unfortunately, Teedie, as time went by slowed down at a steady rate but still kept her great spirit and wild sense of humor. She passed away peacefully about four years ago. This was a huge blow to Beige, but he was able to maintain a good positive attitude.

Other than creaky knees his health remained good—his card regarding plans for this summer was very upbeat.

But just before the Quarterly came out, Sandy Riley wrote me that he had suddenly passed away peacefully. Evidently something happened to his digestive system that couldn't be successfully fixed.

Beige and I were roommates for three years at Amherst. He was a wonderful friend—always upbeat and fun to be with. I will miss him greatly.

Monty Hankin '43