SUNY Plattsburgh Canadian Studies Director Emeritus Dr. Richard Beach Dies at 83

Longtime SUNY Plattsburgh director of Canadian studies and the Center for the Study of Canada, Dr. Richard Beach, died in Naples, Florida, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 at the age of 83.

The professor emeritus was known on campus and in the community primarily for his work in international education and Canadian studies, but he originally joined the college faculty in 1972 as an assistant professor in geography. Promoted to associate professor in 1977, he also held the temporary position of director for international education, which spanned from 1977 to 1979. He was named director in the spring 1981 semester and was promoted to full professor in April 1985.

Dr. Beach was then named director of the Center for the Study of Canada and International Education in June 1986.

The State University of New York recognized Dr. Beach’s contributions to service when in July 1996 he was promoted to the rank of distinguished service professor. In addition to being awarded the distinguished service professorship, Dr. Beach was also the recipient of a SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

After 28 years at SUNY Plattsburgh, Dr. Beach retired in December 2000.

He was born in Montreal, graduating from McGill University with his bachelor’s degree in education. From there, he earned his master’s degree from Central Michigan University and his doctorate in geography from the University of Pittsburgh.

He and his late wife, Janice, who had taught math and served as math skills specialist in Student Support Services until her death in 1998, moved to Plattsburgh in 1970 where they started their family, which includes daughter Kathy of Blowing Rock, N.C., and son Michael of Washington, D.C., who survive him.

In 2007, Dr. Beach married Barbara Tousaw, who, along with her children, daughters Heather of Calgary, Alberta, and Wendy of Montreal, and son, Tim, also of Calgary, also survive him.

“All of us, myself included, have directly benefitted from the daily commitment Richard made to advancing Canadian and Quebec studies,” said Dr. Christopher Kirkey, director of the Center for the Study of Canada and Institute on Quebec Studies. “We are all far better as a result of his passion, creative powers, and sense of purpose.”

Amy Sotherden, assistant director at the center and a former student and staff member during Dr. Beach’s tenure, said that he “was a master of his craft, a great adventurer, and renowned from various corners of the earth.”

“His prominence and leadership within the Canadian studies community impacted innumerable people and lives,” she said. “Decades of countless American students and educators benefited from his knowledge, insight, and teaching, which thankfully made this world more curious and informed about Canada.’”

Funeral services will be held in Austin, Quebec, near his beloved Lake Memphremagog, Saturday, Oct. 12 to be followed by a celebration of life at the family cottage in Knowlton’s Landing.

Donations may be made to the Center for the Study of Canada in care of the Plattsburgh College Foundation.

A full obituary can be found at https://www.fullereast.com/tributes/Richard-Beach.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Fuller Funeral Home East Naples, 4735 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida, 34112, 239-417-5000, https://www.fullereast.com/.

— By Associate Director of Communications Gerianne Downs with Photo Provided