November 2023 Back Page – In Memory of Robert L. Beans
Posted: December 12, 2023AVEC had the honor of Robert L. Beans’ service to our cooperative’s board for 36 years, and we benefited from his guidance and dedication to the people and communities of rural Alaska.
Robert was born and raised in Mountain Village, Alaska, and devoted his life to serving in many admirable ways. He was a captain in the Alaska Army National Guard from 1971 to 1988. After being honorably discharged, he served as an Alaska State Trooper, a village Public Safety Officer, and volunteered as Chief of the Aniak Police and Fire Departments.
Robert served on various community and state boards, advocating for the best public health, safety and energy resources. Improvements he helped guide at AVEC benefit energy users throughout the state.
We have shared many funny and heartwarming memories of Robert. He will be sorely missed.
We send our sympathies to Robert’s wife, kids, grandchildren and all those whose lives he impacted.
“He was never shy, always happy to break the ice with a hearty hello or a friendly tease,” says Bill Stamm, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative President & CEO. “Although he got quieter in later years, you always knew when Robert was in the room. He spoke his mind clearly and with a purpose to benefit the communities and the people he loved.”
“He experienced the losses of immediate family members that could have easily shattered his spirit,” says Crystal Enkvist, Alaska Power Association Executive Director. “His faith, fortitude, family and sense of humor kept him going and kept his light shining brightly throughout the state. His memory lives on in many ways, and his friends in APA will never forget his contributions to our industry. May he rest in peace.”
“We can all be very proud of his commitment and the lasting impact he had to help make AVEC what it is today,” says Fred Sagoonick, AVEC Board Chair. “He was a well-respected and influential member of the Alaskan rural utilities’ community. I will miss his camaraderie and infectious humor whenever we met.”
Bill Stamm
