Lt. Col. Nelson Beard

Lt. Col Nelson Leroy Beard, USAF Ret passed away peacefully under the care of Hospice House in Lockport, NY on January 11. He was born on May 2, 1951 to Mildred Spotts and raised in Tyrone, Pa. He was predeceased by his step father, Joseph Beard, his mother Mildred Beard, his in laws Lloyd and Margaret Seiver, brother in law William Seiver, and son Nelson Michael Beard. Nelson attended school in Tyrone, Pa. graduating in 1969. After high school he attended Penn State University on a full ROTC scholarship where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a major in Middle East Studies. Nelson later earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Upon his commission into the Air Force Nelson went to navigator training at Mather AFB in Sacramento, Ca. From there he went to George AFB for F-4 training. His first active duty assignment was to Hahn AB in Germany. While there he was part of the initial cadre to set up a flying exercise with the Iranian AF in Tehran, Iran. Upon leaving Hahn AB Nelson was assigned to Clark AFB, Philippines. He was selected to go to Nellis AFB to attend Fighter Weapons School. After graduation from FWS Nelson was sent to Seymore AFB in Goldsboro, NC. Time for a remote tour came and Nelson was sent to Cairo Egypt to work with the Egyptian Air Force. Nelson then returned to Germany for a tour at Ramstein AB. Once done there Nelson was selected to become the Air Force advisor to the Niagara Falls Air Base. He finished his 23-year career retiring from Langley AFB in Newport New, Va. Upon retiring Nelson got a job as a government contractor with CUBIC in South Korea where he worked for five years. He left there to work for STI in Washington, DC and then moved on to work for Veridian, which later became General Dynamics, in Buffalo. After several years Nelson became the Site Manager for GD’s Buffalo site. Nelson is survived by his wife, Margaret Seiver Beard, daughter Madeleine Beard (David Spurgat), sister Martha Jane Hopkins, brother in law Michael Seiver, sister in laws Christine Seiver Harper, and Jennifer Seiver, nieces Jessica Harper, Melissa Harper Cyr, Dodi Seiver Pye, Chrystal Methany, nephews William Seiver ( Suzie), Ronald Seiver (Julie), Ricky Seiver, Russel Streelman, and Christopher Hopkins, great nieces Hannah Pye, Viviana Cyr, and Emma Rose Methany, and great nephews Zach Seiver Pye and Luc Etienne Cyr. Many thanks to the ER staff of Mt. St. Mary’s hospital as well as the fifth-floor staff who took such great care of Nelson during his recent stay there. Also special thanks to the complete staff at Hospice House who made sure Nelson was kept comfortable and peaceful during his final days. They not only looked after Nelson but made sure his family was well cared for, too. Family and friends may call on FRIDAY from 3-7 PM at the HARDISON FUNERAL HOMES INC. N. Forth and Ridge Streets. Lewiston, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on SATURDAY (JAN. 19) at 10:00 AM at St. Bernard’s RC Church Second and Hinman St. Youngstown, NY with Msgr. Rev David LiPuma officiating (Please assemble at the church). Burial to follow in Oakland Rural Cemetery with military honors. In Lieu of flowers donation may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094; NiagaraHospice.org. Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online registry.