Robert L. Beatty Jr.

August 18, 1951 – June 29, 2024

Bob Beatty of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Centerville, Massachusetts, died peacefully at his home on Cape Cod on June 29th , 2024, after a four-year battle with advanced prostate cancer.

Bob was born in Evanston, Illinois, where he spent his early childhood before moving first to St. Louis, Missouri, and then to Darien, Connecticut. He graduated from Darien High School in 1969 and from Amherst College, in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1973. During college, Bob earned a commission in the United States Marine Corps

through the Platoon Leader's Course program and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1973. Bob spent five years in the Marine Corps as a force reconnaissance officer, serving a three-year tour of duty in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, that included a deployment during the fall of Saigon. He left the Marine Corps in 1978 with the rank of first lieutenant, having been selected for captain. Upon his return to the east coast, Bob began his business career in Manhattan with the IBM Corporation, followed by Wang Laboratories. After many years in high-tech sales, Bob crossed over to executive search, finishing his career as a director with Stanton Chase International in South Florida.

An avid and lifelong sailor, Bob lived aboard his sailboat, Intemperance, in the 1980s. Most weekends, Bob could be found sailing in New England with his wife, Michele, his children, and a host of other family and friends. Bob was a voracious reader and book collector—a passion he pursued his entire life. Wherever he lived, bookshelves packed to capacity lined most walls, with yet more books stacked three and four feet high around his favorite reading spots. Though he never sought official recognition, Bob maintained he had one of the largest private libraries in the commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Bob was a man whose ambitions were always large enough to include others. He was a friend and mentor to many and took great joy in seeing others succeed. Though he would never tell the stories himself, those closest to him read the letters and overheard the phone calls from business acquaintances, classmates, Marines who served with him, and many others, thanking Bob for changing their lives for the better.

Bob was a true gentleman, and a man of integrity and high character with a great sense of humor. Known for his wit, wisdom, intellectual curiosity, and fearless confidence, Bob lived life on his own terms and was one of a kind. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Michele Beatty (Granda); his children, Robert L. Beatty III and his wife, Alyson; Brianne Beatty; Lieutenant Commander (SEAL) Winston Beatty; his brothers, Roger Beatty and his wife, Bev; Tom Beatty and his wife, Marcy; and his five grandchildren. He is also survived by his beloved pug, Reginald "Reggie" Beatty. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Barbara Beatty; his sister, Pamela Beatty; and his brother-in-law, Ed Granda.

The Beatty family would like to thank the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute—especially Dr. Xiao Wei and her incredible team—for extending his life with not only their cutting edge care, but their love and support.

If you are so inclined, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in Bob's honor to support Dr. Xiao Wei's prostate cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute by mail at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, online at www.dana-farber.org/give, or by phone at 1-800-525-4669.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Bob will be held at a later date.