R. Graham Beyer

R Graham Beyer, 32, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Paw Paw, passed away suddenly in Ridgway, CO, on August 29, 2019. Born Dec. 30, 1986, R was a 2006 graduate of Paw Paw High School. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 169. R earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in outdoor and environmental recreation.
At Paw Paw Middle School R developed an interest in the German language, which led to him attending Waldsee, a Concordia Language Village camp at Bemidji, MN, where he was later a staff member. R worked at youth camps in California and the Pacific northwest. He traveled extensively throughout Europe and Southeast Asia before teaching English in China for two years.
R completed the federal park ranger law enforcement academy in Santa Rosa, CA. He worked as a park ranger for the City of Bellevue, WA; the federal Bureau of Land Management in Utah; and most recently at Ridgway State Park in Colorado. He also worked ground support for the Hollow Creek and Pole Creek wildland fires in Utah in the 2018 season. During his off-season 2018, he completed EMT training at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
R is survived by his parents Deborah Beyer of Kalamazoo and Dr. Roger Beyer (Susan Wright) of Paw Paw. Also surviving are a brother, R. Abram (Yu Chu Lo) of Chicago; sisters Rachel Beyer of Paw Paw; Rosemary Beyer of Chicago; and Ramsey Beyer (Michael Cantor) of Philadelphia; plus, two nephews, Thomas and Asher Beyer of Paw Paw. R was preceded in death by an infant sister, Ruthann.
A celebration of R’s life will be held at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Ave., on Saturday, October 26, 2019, at 3:00p.m.. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in R’s name at a location of your choice or make a contribution to the Nature Conservancy.