Dr. Wendell C. Bean
Dr. Wendell C. Bean, age 85, passed away peacefully at Collier Park Assisted Living facility, his second home, on March 26, 2020. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas, April 28, 1934, to formerly deceased parents, Clebern Bean and Floy (Miller) Bean.
Wendell graduated from Lamar Tech. in 1955, and afterwards was accepted as an Electrical Engineer at Bettis Lab Atomic Power Plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While at Bettis, he earned a doctorate in Electrical Engineering at University of Pittsburgh, met and married Joyce Hicks. They had daughter Melanie Elizabeth Bean. In 1967– 68 he served post-doc. at University of Michigan. From this position he was pulled away by an offer of professorship at Lamar University in Beaumont with chairmanship of the electrical engineering department. He was chosen for this position by the influence of Lloyd B. Cherry, for whom the building is now named. Wendell loved his career as an Electrical Engineer professor and adviser there for 48 years and was well known and loved by his students and colleagues alike. He was a member of Mensa and also proud to serve as faculty advisor for Tau Beta Pi for many years.
Wendell was happily married to formerly deceased Marilyn (Garafallo) Bean for 23 years where they lived in Beaumont amongst their many pets, family and friends. He was a long time member of Westgate Church of Christ where he had another close group of friends and attended until he could no longer leave his facility. Mr. Bean found yet another community of friends at Collier Park with the help of his brother and nephew, and which he called home for his last five years.
A special thank you to Collier Park staff and Best Hospice staff whom became good friends to both Wendell “Mr. B.” and myself, as well as his long time friend and helper, Anita. He had other extended family of his late wife Marilyn and so many long time friends who are too extensive to name here. As his daughter, I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who were an important, helpful and loving part of my father’s life.
He is survived by myself, his daughter, Melanie (Bean) Adams and son-in-law, Peter Adams; his grandsons, Donovan and Jon G. Adams; brother, David L. Bean and niece, April; and nephews, David B. and Jeff Bean.
There is presently a scholarship program for electrical engineering students in Dr. Bean’s name. This can be accessed through Lamar University Foundation, P.O. Box 11500 Beaumont, Texas 77710 (409-880-2117) or foundation@lamar.edu. In lieu of flowers or donations to Wendell, please consider contributing to this scholarship fund.
In this precautionary time, no traditional funeral services can be held this week.
So that more family and friends might be able to come together to share memories of his life we plan on having a memorial service in Dr. Bean’s honor to be announced at a later date under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Broussard’s will post the updated service information once it is known to keep everyone informed.
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Don & Syble Jeffcoat
Melanie, as a student of Dr. Bean, I came to know him as a great professor and friend. I enjoyed being in his classroom and the friendly visits to his office. He was a true gentleman. I am sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family, Rest in Peace, Dr. Bean.
Vick Nelson
Wendel was a kind and gentle man. I considered him to be a friend. I will see you in Heaven Wendell. Vick.
Harley Myler
I knew Wendell since my arrival at LU in 2001. My memory of him is that he was what I call a true christian. So few can accept Christ's admonition to "deny himself and take up his cross and follow me", but Wendell Bean did so with humility and compassion. He was a friend to everyone and his students would often comment that he was simply the nicest person that they had ever met. His joy in life was teaching and helping his students and many, many electrical engineers graduating from LU have been touched in a positive way by him. Just a wonderful, caring person--he will be missed.
Guy and Rhonda Crabtree
Many a Sunday Rhonda, myself and my parents would sit near the back right pews, just in front of Wendell. I miss those days of seeing Wendell and the conversations we would have. He was a very gentle, humble and contrite man. I know with certainty that he is in heaven with the Lord .Isa. 66:2 " This is the one I esteem:he who is humble and contrite in spirit"
Courtney Arnold
I met Dr. Bean, via Dr. Watt, after he had retired from Lamar. At the time my husband and I lived right around the corner from Collier Park and Dr. Watt mentioned that we might visit sometime. So we did! We did our best to visit every month, or at least once every few months, for the few years we lived there. During our visits we would talk about the happenings at Lamar, browse through his old high school year book, listen to him reminisce, etc. Our visits with Dr. Bean were always such a peaceful part of our week. It was quite nice to sit peacefully, without technology, and visit and listen to stories from another time. My husband and I have very fond memories of our time with Dr. Bean. I know that many in Beaumont, and at Lamar especially, enjoyed his company and were touched by his kind spirit. Once our daughter was born (right before we moved away) we brought her up to meet him. We all enjoyed that moment very much! We usually ended each visit with a prayer and on more than once occasion Dr. Bean expresses his gratitude for that. Once we moved away I did my best to keep in touch, but as I was a busy new mother I regret that I was only able to send one letter and a few pictures of our growing girl. We planned to visit Beaumont in May and we intended to visit him. We were greatly saddened by the news and will miss Dr. Bean very much! We wish the family peace in this difficult time!
Courtney Arnold
I would like to add that our visits with Dr. Bean were always such a peaceful part of our week. It was quite nice to sit peacefully, without technology, and visit and listen to stories from another time. My husband and I have very fond memories of our time with Dr. Bean. I know that many in Beaumont, and at Lamar especially, enjoyed his company and were touched by his kind spirit. We love and miss you, Dr. Bean!
Judy Melling
As an employee of Collier Park, I knew Dr. Bean to be such a kind, gentle soul. He had only good, positive things to say and always had a smile. Rest in Peace, Wendell.
Pam & Steve Saur
Faculty members often voice complaints about committee meetings, to some the least favorite part of their jobs. . However, they are a main way that we have a chance to meet people outside our own departments. Otherwise we would never have met a very nice and conscientious colleague named Wendell Bean. We send our sympathy to his family. Sincerely, Pam Saur (English and German, retired)) and Steve Saur (Social Work, retired)
Susan Gallier
Not a Sunday went by that Wendell didn't stop and tell my Mother that he remembered my Daddy - such a tall, stately man. We all enjoyed his weekly remembrance of him and the kindness Wendell always exhibited. His gentleness and love will be missed by us all. We'll see you in heaven dear servant! Jan Bolton and Susan Gallier
Greg Landry
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Donald Lightfoot Jr
Wendell Bean was a dear friend to me at Westgate. Such an intelligent kind and gentle man of God. He will be truly missed. by many. I am so sorry for your loss. Don Lightfoot Jr.
David Camp
Prayers and sympathy for the family and many friends of Dr. Bean. Dr. Bean was always a kind and gentle spirit and will be no doubt missed by all that had the privilege of his acquaintance. We know and have the same hope as Dr. Bean though that one day in Heaven we can all be together again. May the God of peace bless and provide comfort to all of his family and friends during this time . David and Stephanie Camp
Lora Parker
I loved Wendell Bean! As others have mentioned, he was a kind, gentle, humble man! But, he was also a very personable guy with a droll sense of humor! I knew him when he was a member of Northwood Christian Church in Beaumont. Initially, we were members of the same Sunday school class, where he was a beloved member and student of the gospel. Then, we shared the joy of singing in the choir together, for many years. He became infamous for misplacing his copy of the music, and getting a new copy, adding his name to it. After awhile, several choir members would be singing from autographed copies of Wendell's music! For many years our church celebrated an Orphans' Thanksgiving....a progressive dinner for church families and those who were alone on Thanksgiving. All of the kids vied for the privilege of riding from one house to another with Wendell in his Volkswagen! He was like the Pied Piper! Once, when he met a new baby in the church, and noticed her unruly hair. He looked at the baby and said, "that child looks as if she put her finger in an electrical outlet!". Though we didn't spend much time together after Wendell remarried and changed churches, when we did meet, it was always a joyful reunion with a big hug. I am thankful for Wendell's friendship and the precious memories we shared. I KNOW that Jesus ran to him and welcomed His faithful servant home!
Sinan Sinanovic
Being an international student, I have had the honour to be invited by Dr Bean to his home for my first Thanksgiving. I always remember him for Thanksgiving even though I’ve left USA many years ago. Great and kind educator who will always be remembered by his students.
This is old news, but a friend and fellow student of Dr. Bean’s forwarded this to me today (2-April-2022) when he stumbled across it.
I was a student of Dr. Bean’s from 1985 to 1988 at Lamar University, where I graduated with an Elec. Eng degree. Dr. Bean was a great teacher in the classroom with an incredible mind (like almost all professors in the Lamar EE dept.!). Dr. Bean had a way of explaining even very complex concepts in a way my young (at the time) mind could follow.
As a member of Tau Beta Pi, I also got to know him a bit better in that much smaller circle of students. I think the key feature of Dr. Bean was that, like a good father, he was intensely invested in OUR success, in OUR understanding. He wanted to form our young engineering minds to be able to go out into the world and solve real-world problems.
I’m intensely grateful for the education I got at Lamar and Dr. Bean was an important part of that education. The world is a lesser place without him in it, and my belated condolences to his family and friends for their loss.
I took many classes with Dr. Bean back in the 80s. And I always loved his approach to people and teaching us young bucks. He was firm but fair, and that coffee cup in his hand was always there. God bless Dr. Bean, you changed my life with the gifts you taught me. I will never forget you.