Bob Beumer, longtime Camper and former LCA Board President, was called home to heaven on April 8, 2026. We rejoice in the promise of eternal life through Christ our Lord, even as we mourn this loss with his family and friends.
For all those who knew him, Bob was larger than life. He brought energy and joy to everything that he was part of, including Camp Arcadia. For Bob, Camp was a place of rest, rejuvenation, and lifelong friendships.
Bob’s history with Camp began in the early 1950s, when his parents, Eugene and Florence, first brought him and his older brother, Richard, to Camp, traveling from St. Louis with a group of friends from their church. That initial visit sparked a seven-decade legacy for Bob and his family. He eventually introduced his beloved wife, Luanne, to the shores of Arcadia—a tradition that has since grown to include their three children—Beth, Brent, and Becky; their spouses; and eight grandchildren. He delighted in being at Camp surrounded by family and friends and was known for his big smile and gregarious personality.
Central to those family memories were the weekly softball games at Camp, which were referred to as “St. Louis vs. the World.” His longtime friend, Norm Ulbrich, remembers Bob as the heartbeat of the game. “Everyone should have someone like Bob Beumer in their lives,” Norm shares. “When he entered the room, excitement followed. He loved sports and was an intense competitor but always gracious, usually the first one on the field and the last one off.” As Norm beautifully puts it: “If they play baseball in heaven, I want to be on his team!” While his infectious laugh and lifelong love for the game are legendary, his deepest legacy remains his dedication to Camp Arcadia—a gift he passed down to his children and grandchildren.
Bob’s energetic spirit was matched only by his powers of persuasion. He was a natural recruiter, drawing countless families into the Arcadia fold—including that of current LCA President, Ali (Bayes) Franke.
Ali credits her family’s connection to Camp entirely to Bob’s “original pitch” back in 1990. “He described a ‘summer camp in Northern Michigan’ with hearty laughter and endless stories,” she recalls. That one conversation started a journey that led Ali from camper to summer staffer to board member. She even remembers Bob’s playful side, like the time he dressed up as Santa Claus for Christmas in July and used a luggage cart as his sleigh, or the many occasions he served as the emcee for the Camper Talent Shows.
Beyond the fun, Bob was a dedicated mentor and encourager. “He made a point to call me after I joined the LCA Board to share advice from his own service,” Ali remarks. “You won’t meet someone with a bigger heart for service, who thankfully shared his many gifts with Camp Arcadia; he will be dearly missed.”
Bob’s love for Camp was truly contagious, a trait that led the Berg family to make their first trek to Arcadia in 1982. As Nancy Berg reflects, Bob’s gift for connection wasn’t limited to RKD. Whether you met him at Concordia Church or his jewelry store, “he always greeted you with a big smile and hello, making you feel as if you were the very person he was waiting to have a chat with.” Nancy adds, “I am confident he greeted Jesus with that same big smile.”
Bob’s commitment to the LCA Board spanned nearly a decade (1995-2004), highlighted by his tenure as President from 2001 to 2004. During this pivotal time in Camp’s history, his leadership was instrumental in realizing the Spirit of Arcadia Vision 2002, most notably through the successful completion of the Wigwam renovation.
Stan Scheumann, a longtime friend and fellow board member, describes Bob as a steadying force for the organization whose “strong Christian faith was evident in how he lived, served, and treated others.” Stan reflects that Bob’s faithful service not only strengthened the foundation of Camp but “blessed everyone who worked with him,” ensuring his impact on RKD will be felt for generations.
Another board member, Susan Spagnuolo, echoes this sentiment, remembering Bob as a pillar of the Arcadia community. “He served Camp with a rare blend of faith, wisdom, and humor,” Susan shares. “He was one of the finest men I have ever known, and his friendship through the years was a true gift.”
For me, Bob was invaluable in helping me find my footing as a young director. At a time when I was still finding my way, he treated me with the professional respect I was striving to earn. He challenged me to sharpen my leadership and to grow into the role. Even after his service on the board ended, his mentorship never stopped; I grew to rely on our regular phone calls and always looked forward to his latest ideas for Camp.
Having known Bob and his family for over 30 years, I consider them some of my closest friends. In fact, prior to serving at Camp Arcadia, I was an admissions counselor at Valparaiso University, Bob’s alma mater, and shared an apartment with his daughters, Beth and Becky, who were studying at Valpo.
When it was time to propose to my wife, Sarah, I knew there was only one man to help me find the perfect ring, and that of course was Bob, who owned Hamilton Jewelers. He gave me a great deal and included a built-in light in the ring box, which proved memorable and necessary for my nighttime proposal.
Bob was a man who simply made things happen, a legacy captured by his effort to fund the Inn’s ceiling fans through the “St. Louis Fan Club.” It was a practical project that reflected his desire to see Arcadia thrive. This personal dedication was shared by his entire family, who have served Camp in countless ways—as board members, summer staffers, teen week counselors, health officers, and generous supporters of the ministry.
We give thanks to God for Bob Beumer and the legacy of faith and leadership he left behind. He was a man who dearly loved his family, treasured his friends, and poured his heart into Camp Arcadia and its mission.
We are also thankful that Bob trusted God’s promises of eternal life with Him. I envision Bob has already gotten together with the other Arcadia saints in heaven, and after a great day of playing baseball, they went out to have some fun at the Big Apple in the Sky. A perfect day in the perfect place. Not wanting it to end, Bob did exactly what he did on earth: he kept the party going. For when St. Peter announced last call and that he was closing the kitchen for the evening, it was Bob, not wanting the night to end, who was somehow able to convince him to keep the place open a little bit longer. Heavenly cheers to Bob!
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 25, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Missouri. Details and Bob Beumer’s obituary can be found here.
6 Responses
A truly lovely obit on one of the best guys around. Thank you, Chip. Bob will be sorely missed.
To Bob: Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enjoy the Crown of Life bestowed upon you by your loving Savior, Jesus Christ.
Godspeed, Bob! A “thank you” for your years of service to RKD.
Godspeed, Bob!. A hearty “thank you!” for your years of service to Camp RKD.
A treasure to think of our time as the ‘chain gang’ on the Lutheran South football field watching our guys together. Never a dull moment when Bob was involved. I miss him dearly.
Bob was President when I first joined the LCA Board. He was an excellent, effective leader. Meetings were thorough but never boring. What a blessing he has been for Camp. Thank you, Bob, for all your gifts to Camp!