Maj. Gen. Roger K. Bean (US Army, retired) was born on July 17, 1940 in Yakima, Washington to the late Art and Hazel Bean. He passed away on June 13, 2009 in Tomah, Wis. after a 30-year battle with Parkinson's disease. He graduated from Cheney High School, class of 1958. Commissioned through ROTC, he graduated from Eastern Washington State College in 1962 and went on to earn his Master's Degree in International Relations from the University of Alabama. He later graduated from the Air War College. Gen. Bean's distinguished 32-year Army career included multiple duty stations throughout the U.S., Asia, and Germany. This included two combat tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, two assignments at the Pentagon, Commander of Division Artillery and Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division, Commanding General of the 56th Field Artillery Command (Pershing), and Deputy Commanding General of US Army Pacific. During Desert Storm, General Bean was Acting Commanding General of VII Corps.
Gen. Bean's valiant service to his country was recognized with decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal with first oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with first oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with first oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with first oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with first oak leaf cluster, 47 Air Medals, three with valor, and the Army Commendation Medal with third oak leaf cluster.
Roger's love for his country was second only to his love and dedication to his family. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Criss (Cornell) Bean of Fond du Lac, Wis.. He is also survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Shannon and Marty Olson of Wausau Wis.; and Sarah and Jeff Brady of Maple Valley, Wash.; by his four beloved grandchildren, Eric and Tim Olson and Ryan and Lulu Brady; and by his sister and brother-in-law Sue and Cliff Ferguson of Cheney, Wash.
Roger was known for his quick wit, fearlessness, and love of adventure. All who knew him knew of his love for flying, whether it was helicopters, powered parachutes, or gliders. He embraced life with high expectations and led each step of the way by example. Roger loved to be the solver of problems and the helper of those in need. He accomplished any task at hand with passion, whether it was leading his troops or snow blowing the neighborhood at the crack of dawn. Roger's reputation for “accomplishing more before 8 a.m. than most people got done all day” was one of which he was proud.
It has been commented by the soldiers that served closely under him that General Bean's leadership style brought out in them the desire to perform their duties in a manner that went far beyond the standards required. Rooted in the ultimate form of respect, their desire was to perform in a way that would never cause General Bean to become disappointed in them or ever let him down in anyway. It is that type of rare leadership that has made a significant difference in America's military history.
Gen. Bean will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
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