Colleagues
Amy S. C. Leh
Executive Director and CEO
Phi Beta Delta Honor Society
I was shocked when I heard the sad news. I got to know Dr. Beard for our 2019 Phi Beta Delta national conference. He played a central role in making the 2019 PBD conference happen at Shepherd. Without his support we would have struggled; he fully supported me on issues such as conference spaces, housing, catering, set-up of equipment and furniture, and, of course, he provided free musical entertainment.
Dr. Beard was full of gracious, warm, and kind energy. His musical entertainment drew the conference audience together. He deeply touched my life and other conference participants’ as well. I am thankful for having met Dr. Beard and for having had a chance to know him.
Dr. Beard,
May God’s peace be with you!!
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Dr. David Gansz
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Sarah Lindell
I attended the international conference of Phi Beta Delta at Shepherd University in 2019. Dr. Beard was a wonderful host and added so much to our conference. We were so lucky to have him perform for us, as he was a wonderful musician. He was such an enthusiastic and warm person. I really enjoyed meeting him. I am so very sorry for your loss.
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Dr. Ann Watson
There are no words of comfort that I could say to express my sadness for Alan and Scott’s family and his many friends. I was honored to be his colleague when I was Dean of the Scarborough Library (2011-2014) and I can say his friend too. I loved going to The Farm to get pumpkins and flowers and Xmas trees. But mostly to be a guest of Scott’s genuine and remarkable hospitality. He was always energetic; always smiling; always helpful and always authentic and kind. And of course! He was always impeccably dressed! Down to his socks! I loved when he wore a bow tie or a gold vest to play Christmas carols. What an honor to have known him. The world is darker now that you aren’t here, Scott. May peace and light surround your beautiful soul.
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Lois Kuhn
During my time as an adjunct professor in the Music Dept., I was leaving the Frank Center one night after teaching an evening class. I heard beautiful music coming from the band rehearsal space. It was Scott’s high school students presenting a spring recital. I tiptoed in and listened to their lovely music, a calming ending to what had been a hectic day.
Their music lifted my spirits. When the students finished, I headed quietly out the door. Scott made a special point of coming outside and thanking me for attending the recital. This was Scott — always noticing, always expressing gratitude, and always with that beautiful smile. What an inspiration he was to so many, myself included. Thank you, Scott, for your example of selflessness and love.
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Susan Edwards Sved
I went to Patrick Henry High School in Ashland with Scott. We worked on several theatre productions together. He was an actor as well as musician. I particularly remember acting with him in The Sound of Music. He was an exceptional human and musician. To say that this is a huge loss is an understatement.
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Carrie Stewardson
I am a childhood friend of Scott’s. I can remember 4 of us were the top readers in 1st grade. Later I had to switch schools and felt out of place. He took me to my prom. I will always remember that. I later worked with his mom and tried to keep in touch. He also played at my wedding. He will always be remembered as such a sweet kindhearted and true friend! His hometown friends are shocked and we will miss him dearly.
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Anne L. Howard-Tristani
Member, Advisory Council
The Washington Opera Society
I am so happy that I was able to virtually attend the beautiful Memorial Service held in Scott Beard’s honor today at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, along with so many of Scott’s other friends, as well as his family and life partner, Alan. Scott’s enormous contributions as the Artistic Director of the Washington Opera Society (WOS) will never be forgotten and will live on in our future WOS performances. Scott’s contributions as a gifted, talented and creative singer as well as an outstanding pianist, musician and opera performer will long be remembered. At Shepherd University, I know Scott’s many contributions as a gifted educator and senior administrator in higher education, will also be long be remembered by all the students, faculty, Deans and other administrators, whose lives he impacted in so many ways. At the WOS, Scott brought the joy and beauty of music to everyone who heard and saw him perform. He will be deeply missed and I will never forget him.
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Winnie Brophy
PBD Past President 2018-2019
Chapter coordinator of Eta Lambda Chapter
I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Beard during the 2019 Phi Beta Delta 33rd Annual International Conference hosted by Shepherd University in 2019. He was such a talented, gentle, and funny person. I remember he performed a piano recital during the conference. It lighted up the whole conference. PBD is so lucky to have him at the conference during his busy schedule. Please accept my condolences on behalf of PBD Eta Lambda chapter at the College of Staten Island/CUNY.
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Gail Delente
I knew Scott primarily through the French Piano Institute Piano Festivals in Paris, France of which he was a regular performer. He set a sky-high level of performance which the others aspired to attain. His talent, technical prowess, and stellar grasp of style made him a top international prize winner. These qualities along with his conservatory training, performing experience, and charming interactions with everybody led to his success as an outstanding teacher.
As we all know, Scott was capable of doing just about anything. It was not long until he was tapped by Shepherd University to become a top administrator.
We will sorely miss Scott, who left us much too soon. Our sincere sympathy goes to colleagues, students, friends, family, and especially to Alan, Scott’s.dear companion for over 30 years.
May Scott rest peacefully, and may all those left behind cherish all their special moments with him.
Gail Delente
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Suzanne Shipley
The first facet of Scott’s rich personality I became familiar with was in his role of concert pianist. Like all others in the audience listening to Scott perform, I was enthralled. For my first years at Shepherd I attended most if not all of his individual concerts as well as those faculty performances that included him alongside other faculty or students. There was a special electricity in the audience when Scott would appear. He had a magnetism that was inescapable and it was as much the person as the pianist that brought us into that vibrant experience he created musically. His love for the pieces, the composers, and the eras from which they came was obvious.
I was gratified to see Scott turn those unique and creative talents to academic administration, where they are so needed–first in the Guy Frank School of Music, then with the Graduate School and with the major steps that Shepherd took under his leadership in accreditation, in launching the DNP and of course with COPLAC. Unfortunately, I missed some his finest moments when he served as Provost with President Hendrix, but I was able to catch up with Scott before, during or after our COPLAC meetings. It was at just such a meeting, hosted on our Texas campus, that Scott learned of his mother’s passing. He was a strong and supportive family member and it was enormously difficult for him to have to make his long way home to comfort and be comforted by his loved ones at that time of loss.
The last time we met was in Washington, D.C., just before COVID was to change everything. We walked to a cozy French bistro for lunch together. Scott was his usual warm and engaging self and regaled me with stories of Alan’s travels, their purchase of a new home in Cress Creek, life after the apple farm, and thoughts about his next steps as a university leader. Like everyone else, I assumed there was time ahead for him to take those steps and I had no doubt that Scott would progress as far as he intended.
We were all fortunate to have walked life’s path with Scott. So many unexpected joys would appear when you were in his company—tasting the crisp apple slices he offered at the stand on market day, visiting his home salon and imagining his students there with him, touring the pirate ship at the farm, just knowing how much happiness he and Alan shared with the families in our community. Scott’s big personality and mighty work ethic will leave a large gap in Shepherd University and in all of our lives. His loss is deeply felt as we grieve with Alan and with all who loved them both as vibrant, well-matched and loving partners. Thank you, Scott, for giving us the amazing gift of your passion—not only for music and education but for life’s most treasured moments and relationships.
Dr. Suzanne Shipley
President, MSU Texas
Former President, Shepherd University