Remembering Donald Beeler

August 16, 1931 – February 14, 2024

Don, age 92, passed away on February 14, 2024. The oldest of Clifford and Gladys (Porter) Beeler's five children, he was born in Elmwood and grew up in Upper Canard, NS. After graduating from Kings County Academy in 1949, he moved to Truro where he attended NS Agricultural College and met and married Margaret Malcolm of Brule, NS.  In 1957 they moved to West Lafayette, IN so he could pursue a PhD in Biochemistry at Purdue University. After post-doctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, he joined the faculty at Albany Medical College in 1963 where his research involved studies in the biosynthesis of carotenes and of phospholipids and steroids. Don also helped train approximately 5,000 physicians, his proudest accomplishment over his 38-year career. He was loved by his students who elected him the recipient of the Outstanding Preclinical Golden Apple Award several times. It seemed that wherever he went, including Paris and the Met in NYC, there was a former student rushing over to say hello. Regardless of his success with medical students, his own children never learned the Krebs Cycle despite his best efforts at the supper table. Upon his retirement in 1999, he was awarded an honorary doctorate and received a standing ovation from staff and students at the graduation ceremony.

Don and Margaret lived in East Greenbush, NY for 50 years, raising their family and enjoying dinner parties with their many friends, concerts in Saratoga and Boston, theatre and opera in NYC and Albany and museums, especially the Clark Institute in Williamstown. Don canoed the Hudson and hiked many peaks in the Adirondacks. With his kids, he rafted through the Grand Canyon. He and Margaret drove throughout the US and Canada and also traveled to Scotland, Hong Kong, France and Italy. Don coached Little League Baseball and the East Greenbush Comets hockey team. He curled at least three times a week, won many bonspiels, and made Sunday breakfasts for up to 80 people at the Schenectady Curling Club. Don's many collections included coins, stamps and insects. With her steady good humour, Margaret tolerated Monarch butterflies and Cecropia moths being grown in the porch. He successfully grew Atlantic giant pumpkins and an 18" sunflower he grew won a birdfeeder. He organized the annual block parties. Don also found time to write several books on the genealogy of the Beelers and the Malcolms.

Ten years ago, Don and Margaret returned to Nova Scotia to live year-round in their cottage on Margaret's family farm in Brule. The Beelers became trustees of the Brule cemetery, and he joined the North Shore Archives and wrote books on the history of Brule, Tatamagouche, the North Shore Churches and cemeteries in North Colchester and West Pictou counties. They were avid walkers of the Butter Trail. They loved being home.

Don was predeceased 6 months ago by Margaret, his wife of 69 happy years.  He is survived by his four children, Anne Thomas (Jerry Sunderland) of Tatamagouche, NS, Mary Beeler, of Cortland, NY, Malcolm Beeler of Portland, CT and Cindy Klemczyk (Chris) of Bothell, WA; five grandchildren, Marshall Thomas, Meg Dahn (Jackson), David Chung, Sarah Klemczyk and Ava Beeler; and one great-grandchild, Fiona Dahn.  He is also survived by his sister Betty Buchanan and his brothers Byron Beeler and Philip Beeler.  He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Muriel Northcott.

Don had an enthusiasm for good company and nearly everything else.  Every meal was the best meal he ever had, every guest in the house made it a party, every firework was his all-time favorite, every card game was a good-natured brawl, and every eagle was possibly the largest ever seen on the North Shore.  His natural curiosity meant he never spent one moment of his long life bored. He will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life Visitation/Reception for both Margaret and Don will be held at Coulter's Funeral Home in Tatamagouche on March 2, 2024 from 2-4pm.

Donations in Don's memory can be made to The North Shore Archives Society. Charitable receipts recognized by the Canadian Revenue Agency will be provided for donations over $20 CDN.

North Shore Archives Society

c/o Linda MacKinnon, Treasurer

PO Box 402

Tatamagouche, NS   B0K 1V0