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David Beatty

BEATTY, DR. DAVID PIERCE
1933 - 2015
On October 10th, 1933, during the Great Depression, David Beatty was born at home in a back road farm house with no running water or electricity in Ingham County, Michigan. Growing up, he attended a one-room school house. He participated in the Future Farmers of America and 4-H Club, where he won a public speaking contest for the State of Michigan and other similar awards. This inspired him to continue his education, eventually earning a Ph.D. in History of International Relations from Michigan State University.
David came to Canada during the Vietnam War in 1966 to join Mount Allison University's History Department where he specialized in diplomacy between the country of his birth and the country into which he was adopted. He served as Departmental Head, Director of American Studies, and Co-Director of International Studies. Additionally, he authored several books: The Vimy Pilgrimage, July 1936, From the Diary of Florence Murdock, Amherst, Nova Scotia; Memories of the Forgotten War: The World War I Diary of Pte. V.E.Goodwin ; and The World War I Diaries and Letters of Lieut. Stanley Edgett (co-edited by Dr. Tom Edgett). For several years, he was a leading figure in the university's high school visitation program and an enthusiastic counselor to prospective students. He was perhaps best known as a passionate teacher who was generous with his time and advice. He showed dedication to the development of his students not only as intellectuals and scholars but also as individuals and citizens. Mount Allison awarded him the Herbert & Leota Tucker award for Excellence in Teaching in 1989. He taught for over three decades until his appointment as Professor Emeritus of History in 2000.
David's love of history and teaching was matched by his enthusiasm for football. An avid supporter of the Mount Allison varsity football team, he could reliably be found on fall weekends near the athletic field cheering on his beloved Mounties. He was appointed Honorary President of the Fifth Quarter Club. In his final years, when no longer able to attend games, he loyally followed his favourite team on television with great pleasure.
Sheila Blagrave, editor of the Mount Allison Record, said of David Beatty, "He was a gentleman farmer and something of a backroom politician". He was also a popular orator and storyteller who featured occasionally on radio and television and was known locally for his annual Remembrance Day speeches. Although not destined to be a farmer by profession, he nonetheless continued to cultivate his rural roots. David was deeply fond of the small community of Baie Verte, New Brunswick, which he called home for about two decades. For many years, between Convocation and Commencement, he moved his family to Parkbeg Farm, in Murray Corner, New Brunswick, where he zealously planted vegetables and raised livestock to fill the freezer with food for the long winters. When not tending to his prolific gardens, he could often be found distributing the overabundance among friends, neighbours, and passers-by. David was also an outdoorsman and athlete, instilling in his children a love for camping, hiking, running, canoeing, and campfire building.
David passed away on August 2nd, 2015, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Jean (Bissell) Beatty, and three children: Daman Beatty (Fatima) of Vancouver, BC; Margaret Priemer, of Sackville, NB, and David Beatty Jr., of Michigan. He is also survived by two brothers, Thomas and Hal Beatty, of Michigan; three grandchildren: Catherine and Oliver Priemer, of Sackville, NB, and Jason Beatty, of Michigan; four great-grandchildren: Brayden, Gage, Brynn, and Pierce Beatty, of Michigan; and extended family.
A celebration of David's life will take place on Saturday, August 15th, at 2:00 p.m., at Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge Street, Sackville, New Brunswick (506-364-1300).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David's name to Mount Allison University's Fifth Quarter Club, Tantramar Heritage Trust, Open Sky Co-Operative, or a charity of one's own choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting David's online memorial at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca

 

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