Norman Beard

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Norman Beard

Norman (Norm) Beard BA ’55, MDiv ’58, DHL ’98 of Anderson, Indiana, passed away at his residence at the age of 88 on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Norm was born on December 20, 1932, to William and Myrtle (Johnson) Beard in Albany, Kentucky. At six months old, his family moved to Ohio. He was elected president of his senior class at Greensburg High School and graduated first in his class.

At the encouragement of the family’s pastor, Rev. Pete Meyer, Norm attended Anderson College (University) where he studied accounting. Upon his graduation in 1955 he was awarded a Rockefeller Fellowship to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He then earned a Master of Theology degree from the Anderson School of Theology and was ordained into ministry in the Church of God in 1958. He also earned a master’s degree in counseling from Ball State University, and did post-graduate work at both the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

Norm received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Indiana Gov. Frank O’Bannon in 1997. At the time of his retirement, Anderson University awarded him the Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1998.

In the 40 years of his ministry at Anderson University, he held several positions. He was an instructor in speech, assistant comptroller, assistant to President Robert Reardon, and the dean of students.

Many students thought his first name was Dean. President Reardon asked Dean Beard to research and create a program similar to the Peace Corps. It began in 1964 and was named “Student Summer Service,” or Tri-S. By the end of its first decade, more than 1,000 students had participated in the Tri-S experience.

Since then, many thousands of students, staff, and faculty have participated in this program of service, education, and cultural experiences in the United States and many countries all over the world. Since the projects became available at other times of the year, the name of Tri-S remained but was changed to Study, Serve, Share. In this capacity, Norm traveled extensively throughout the world.

In the Anderson community, Norm had been a member of Rotary Club and was on the board of the Madison County Chapter of the American Red Cross.His active participation in his home church, Park Place Church of God, included the Board of Trustees, Church Council, and teaching second grade Sunday school classes.

Norm is survived by his wife of 66 years, Louetta (Hency); daughters, Nancy (Jeff) Lockhart and Diane (Mike) Vargo; grandchildren, Jacob (Christina) Lockhart, Kyle (Hannah) Lockhart, and Maggie Lockhart; brother, Jim (Eileen) Beard; and a host of loved nieces and nephews.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, George Beard and Bob Beard; and a sister, Wanda (Beard) Kieke.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.