Phil Beal
Phil in Latvia
“Phil made of every environment, neighborhood.” – Dwight Hillstrom
Philip Emerson Beal (Phil), 1935-2009, as a kid, loved sports and music, church youth group and camp. After college, he volunteered in Latvian refugee camp, and then spent career as college administrator, including Hope College.
Phil with College Students
Phil with his wife, Kathy
A work-mission in Haiti, influenced him and his wife, Kathy, to later become full-time missionaries with the United Methodist Church, serving in Singapore and South Korea as teachers and as Peace with Justice educators in U. S.
Missionary Work in Korea
After retirement, he served on Volunteer in Mission conference board and the Haiti task force and wrote numerous letters and articles concerning Peace with Justice.
Volunteer & Missionary Work in Haiti
The Cover of Phil’s Legacy Book, Peace Writings
He received the annual “Peacemaker of Year” award the West Michigan Annual Conference.
Peace Pole, Dedicated to Phil’s Peace Efforts
Peace Window, dedicated by the First United Methodist Church; John 14:27
Retirement volunteered with Kid Hope USA, Children After School Achievement (CASA), Children Worship Center, Meals on Wheel, InterParish Church Council, HASP, Holland Peace, Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON), Latin Americans Unit for Progress (LAUP) and on work-missions. Also had video ministry and made if stained glass.
Top Left: Costa Rica, Top Right: One of Phil’s Stained Glass Pieces
Bottom Left: Jamaica, Bottom Right: Phil Volunteering with CASA
Being a father and a grandfather were his great joys.
Phil & Kathy with their Children, Grandchildren, & Foreign Exchange Student
Kathy and Family Celebrating Recent Nuptuals
He never missed game or event and loved to go camping.
Phil Camping
Phil loved kids and people and many young people besides his family thought of him as Dad or Grandpa.
“Following Jesus Footsteps in Neighborhood”
Phil would have right behind Jesus, following His Footsteps in The Neighborhood. And that would have delighted in staying with Jesus in The Neighborhood, talking with people, praying with them, laughing with them, caring for them, listening the stories. He would especially, that excited about The Celebration of afternoon, with people of ages and backgrounds, hearing and sharing stories about reconciliation, redemption, forgiveness, peace with justice, restoration, transformation, and these caring for each other in Jesus name.
We hope you will, too!
