Neal W. Beaver, age 83, of Box 207, Grand Marais
“walked on” at Marquette General Hospital on Saturday, January 20, 2007
at 2:50 a.m. Born in Kalkaska County on June 9, 1923 to Dewey and Esther
(nee Vipond) Beaver, Neal moved to Grand Rapids at age three where his
father was a career police officer. He graduated from Wyoming Park High
School in 1940 and entered the U.S. Army with the Michigan National
Guard. He enjoyed military service eventually rising through most
enlisted positions and attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Neal served
as commanding officer of H Company, 508 parachute Infantry of the 82nd
Airborne during all of their combat operations in Europe during WWII.
His platoon’s wild ride in three lone aircraft in the Invasion Operation
(D-Day) has been well documented in several publications. He was awarded
the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, four battle stars and several unit and
individual commendations. After his discharge from the Army, Neal
graduated from Toledo University with a Bachelor of Science in
Mathematic Education. He was recalled to duty for the Korean War. Neal
was seriously injured in a failed parachute accident and discharged in
1953. He served twenty years as an industrial engineer prior to his
return to Grand Marais and serving as the high school mathematics
teacher for sixteen years.
Neal married Ruth Poll on December 24, 1942 and considered his
happy marriage for sixty-four years as the most successful
accomplishment of his adult life. He served as the Burt Township
Supervisor, Burt Twp. School Superintendent, and chairman of the Alger
County Road Commission. Neal and Ruth were partners in two businesses;
the Grand Marais Pilot and the Beaver House, a general store.
He is survived by his wife and partner Ruth and four children;
Wayne of Dallas, TX; Gary (Linda) of Las Vegas, NV; Kevin (Dale Anne) of
Gladstone; Renee’ (Bob) Stocking of Grand Marais. The Beavers enjoy nine
grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Neal was a member of several Veterans organizations and still
maintained correspondence with a few paratrooper survivors of WWII. He
was an avid fly fisherman for only one species – Brook Trout.
Upon Neal’s wishes, there will be no funeral services held in his
memory.