Thomas T. Beeson
February 19, 1938 ~ April 27, 2022
Born in:
Meriden, CT
Resided in:
Bedford, NH
Thomas Theodore Beeson, age 84, died peacefully surrounded by his family on April 27, 2022 at his home in Bedford, NH. He was born in Meriden, Connecticut on February 19, 1938 to the late Orville D. and Lois L. Beeson. Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife of over 60 years, Linda Usher; his son, Thomas Theodore Beeson, Jr. “Ted,” daughter-in-law, Teresa, grandson, Thomas Theodore Beeson, III “Trey,” step-granddaughters, Janna and Brianna of Blythewood, SC; daughter, Christine Pattison, son-in-law, Michael, grandchildren, Emily and Thomas Pattison of Bedford, NH; and daughter, Jennifer Anne Beeson, partner, Daniel, and grandchildren, Benjamin and Anna Kalber of Bellingham, MA.
Tom was raised in Meriden and graduated Meriden High School in 1956. He graduated with a BS degree in Engineering from Yale University in 1961 and went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1966. Tom and Linda enjoyed attending alumni reunions and catching up with old friends over the years.
He served honorably in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1964 as a Chief Engineer on the U.S.S. Charles P. Cecil, including during the Cuban Missile crisis. Tom enjoyed a long career in manufacturing, working at General Foods, Black and Decker, Rockwell International, Bic, Gillette, and finally retiring from Bose Corporation as the VP of Manufacturing in 2004. A big proponent of American manufacturing, Tom created unique, long-lasting solutions to complex problems. His mentorship to hundreds of teammates and fulfillment of their professional successes brought Tom great pride.
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who had a passion for making fine furniture and gardening. Tom was a world traveler, visiting all seven continents with Linda, culminating in a trip to Antarctica, where he befriended a penguin. He loved helping his children with home projects, and attending his grandkids’ swim meets, musicals, and many other activities. He and Linda were active members of the Harvard Congregational Church in Harvard, MA until their move to Bedford in 2020.
Services will be private. Contributions in his memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity at https://www.senhhabitat.org.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Linda and to Tom’s entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are for you. May God Bless you always.
My condolences to Tom’s family. Tom was not only my boss but my mentor since the Gillette time. I deeply missed his humor and guidance during our encounter. He always will be remembered.
My condolences to Tom’s family. Tom was not only my boss but my mentor since the Gillette time. I missed his humor and guidance during our encounter. He will be remembered.
I had just started working at Bic, 6 months before Tom was hired as VP of Manufacturing.
Tom being a very detailed person had already found out far more about those of us who would be working for him, than we knew about him.
When we were introduced for the first time, he immediately asked me who my Geometry teacher was in High School? He of course already knew.
As it turns out Tom’s father Orville, was in fact my High School Geometry teacher. Thankfully Mr Beeson was such a good teacher that years later I was able to impress my new boss Tom with my ability to still prove certain theorems his father taught me years earlier.
Clearly teaching must have run deep in the family because Tom took over where his dad left off. Tom taught me a lot in the many years I was privileged to work for him. No question what he taught me were lessons that served me very well when eventually years latter I the student, became the VP of manufacturing after Tom my boss and mentor left Bic.
A wonderful man and someone who along with his father helped shape my career.
My deepest sympathies to Linda and the rest of Tom’s family. Since I was from Meriden CT Tom and had connections that went back to 1965.
I had just started working at Bic 6 months before Tom was hired as VP of Manufacturing. Tom being a very detailed person had already found out far more about those of us who would be working for him than we knew about him.
When we were introduced for the first time he asked me who my Geometry teacher was in High School. As it turns out Tom’s father Orville was in fact my High School Geometry teacher. Thankfully Mr Beeson was such a good teacher that years later I was able to impress my new boss with my ability to still prove certain theorems his father taught me years earlier.
Clearly teaching must have run deep in the family because Tom just took over where his dad left off. Tom taught me a lot in the time I was privileged to work for him. No question what he taught me were lessons that served me very well when eventually years latter I became the VP of manufacturing
My condolences to Linda and the rest of the Beeson family.
I had the privilege to work for Tom for 10 years when he joined Bic as VP of Manufacturing.
Tom being a very detailed man had already researched those of us who would be working for him.
Like Tom, I was from Meriden CT. When we were introduced the first question Tom had for me was “who was your Geometry teacher at Platt High School”? I was floored. As it turns out Tom’s father Mr Orville Beeson was my teacher.
Thankfully like Tom the lessons he taught me I never forgot. The fact I could years later still prove many of the theorems Mr Beeson taught me in high school helped get my relationship with Tom my new boss off to a good start. Over the years Tom added many more lessons.
Two very intelligent and classy men who blessed my life with their kindness and wisdom.
An intelligent and kind man is the best way to describe Mr. Beeson. My sincere condolences to the Besson Family.
Thank you, Tom, for all you did for Bose Corportion and for me personally.
Tom, was an extraordinarily compassionate man. He was a man of principle, and also found the humanity in people. Tom made a decision against the judgement of several others, to save my job. I was and am eternally grateful to Tom for his understanding and compassion when I really needed a break.
I will miss him.
Sincerely,
Rick Luby
Just learned about Tom’s passing in June.
Tom, you arrived at Bose when someone of your skill, experience and aplomb was needed. As someone said above, you were a compassionate man. You were also fair and a patriot. You inspired people to be at their best. My life was enriched for having met you and worked for you.