David Beebe, 81, campus minister

The Rev. David E. Beebe, 81, of Cherry Hill, campus minister at La Salle University from 1998 until he retired in 2005, died of lung disease Wednesday, March 2, at Samaritan HealthCare & Hospice in Mount Holly.

Father Beebe, who had several roles in the Camden Diocese during his career, was campus minister at Rowan University from 1982 to 1990.

"He was really good dealing with college-age kids," Msgr. Roger McGrath, who is to deliver the sermon at Father Beebe's funeral, said. "That's when he was at his very best."

Because Father Beebe was a La Salle graduate, Msgr. McGrath said, "the job at La Salle was ideal for him."

Born in Hartford, Conn., Father Beebe graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1952 and, after a year at a seminary in Elkton, Md., earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy at La Salle in 1957.

He graduated from St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore in 1961 and was ordained that year in Camden.

Father Beebe was a teacher of math and religion from 1962 to 1967, first at Gloucester Catholic High School and then at Camden Catholic High, his brother Terry said.

The only time Father Beebe ran a parish, his brother said, was from 1985 to 1991, when he was pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Ashland. Instead, after leaving Camden Catholic High, he was director of religious education for the Camden Diocese from 1967 to 1979.

While Father Beebe was in that job, McGrath said, "we worked together," because McGrath was the Camden diocesan assistant superintendent of schools for religious education.

Father Beebe then went to Washington, McGrath said, where, from 1979 to 1982, he was executive director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.

After his stint at Rowan from 1982 to 1990, Father Beebe was executive director of the Camden diocesan synod until 1992.

And from then until he left for La Salle in 1998, he was director of St. Pius X Spiritual Life Center in Blackwood.

Father Beebe, his brother said, was "a great spiritual adviser to the students that he touched."

He added, "He remained friends with his students and became lifetime friends to all of them."

Besides his brother, Father Beebe is survived by a sister.

Viewings were set from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, and 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday, March 10, both at SS. Peter and Paul Church, 362 Ganttown Rd., Turnersville, before an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill. Donations may be sent to La Salle University Campus Ministry, 1900 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia 19141.

Condolences may be offered to the family at http://giosafuneralhome.com.

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