Michael Paul Beachler Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Michael Paul Beachler, 70, of New Castle Delaware, formerly of Pittsburgh PA, died suddenly on June 12, 2022. Michael was the son of the late Edwin H. Beachler, Jr. and Mercedes S. Beachler. He is survived by his sons Daniel (Julie), Brian (Katie Ring), their mother Jeanne, and was the loving “Pops” of his grandson Jake. He is also survived by four brothers and five sisters, as well as their numerous spouses, and many nieces, and nephews. Michael attended Mt. Lebanon High School where he ran track and cross country, and graduated with highest honors in 1969. He subsequently attended Penn State University, majoring in history, and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1972, and Phi Beta Kappa honors. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Michael joined the Peace Corps and took an assignment in the Micronesia Islands of the South Pacific Ocean. After his time in the Peace Corps, Michael worked various jobs in Pittsburgh and traveled extensively throughout the United States. In 1976, he rode his 10-speed bicycle from western Maryland to San Francisco CA, completing the solo expedition in a total of 45 days, camping along the way. After returning to Pittsburgh in 1977, he attended the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health, and received a Master of Public Health Administration in 1979. Michael spent his entire career providing public health related services to various organizations dedicated to supporting health improvement of residents in need. In 1984, he served for the State of Maine Department of Human Services before transitioning to the Governor’s Office. He then worked at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation from 1987- 1997 as a Senior Program Officer, where he was responsible for developing and overseeing several national grant programs funded by the nation’s largest public health philanthropy. He was most proud of his contributions to increasing the supply of primary care providers and expanding smoking cessation initiatives such as the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids. From 1997 -2006 he was the Director for the Southern Rural Access Program in Hershey, Pa that provided funding for basic health care for rural communities. For the remainder of his career, he worked as a consultant for various health care foundations and agencies throughout the U.S. including the Center for Creative Leadership located in Greensboro, NC. He received numerous awards including an Honorary Doctorate award in Humane Letters and an Ambassador of Good Will from the State of Arkansas. He served on the boards of more than twenty organizations throughout the U.S. He has more than 15 health care services’ publications in various international journals, and presented at numerous meetings across the U.S. Michael was an avid sports fan and was particularly interested in college sports for his alma maters, Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he frequently attended games with his family and friends. He was an energetic coach to his son’s soccer teams and enjoyed traveling to see his family and friends participate in various events. He was a lover of national parks and enjoyed hiking, long-distance running, bicycling, swimming, and traveling throughout the U.S. He competed in numerous long distance running and bicycling events in various cities in the U.S. In the late 1990s, he earnestly took up distance swimming and trained and competed at the Masters level. During the last four years of his retirement, he spent countless hours with his grandson Jake and traveled to explore new areas and visited his friends and siblings that are spread out all over the U.S. Michael will be remembered by his former colleagues as a compassionate individual who diligently worked with people who needed health related services. His family and friends will remember him as a loyal and loving father, grandfather, and brother who enjoyed life with love, vigor and fun – particularly on the dance floor. Friends will be received at the Strano and Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchmans Road, Newark, Delaware, 19702, on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 10-11 am. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to either Partners in Health or the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, (“In memory of Michael Beachler”). To send an online condolence please visit www.stranofeeley.com Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home 302-731-5459

Michael Paul Beachler

October 10, 1951 - June 12, 2022