Dennis L. Beecher

Dennis L. Beecher, 77, Martinsburg, passed away Thursday at UPMC Altoona.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late Robert and Ruth Beecher. On March 15, 1975, he married Barbara Nigro in Altoona.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, of 46 years, he is survived by a son, Dennis Scott Beecher and wife Sandra of Ebensburg; and two grandchildren: Brandon Steven and Hannah Margaret.

He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Beecher.

Dennis was a 1962 graduate of Bellwood High School. He spent his career with Conrail as a Mechanical Engineer where he was awarded several patents for rail car design. One of his proudest accomplishments was serving as project engineer of Conrail’s Track Geometry Car. He retired from the railroad in 1996 and continued work as a private consultant for several railroads and short lines. He enjoyed traveling in their airplane, working on antique cars/airplanes, scuba diving, woodworking, and being outdoors.

He was an avid pilot and loved to fly. His beloved 1962 short wing Piper Colt was awarded Reserve Grand Champion at the EAA International Fly In at Oshkosh, WI. He was a member of numerous flying clubs including EAA Chapter 400, Sentimental Journey, and the Short Wing Piper Club. He previously served as a member of the advisory board for the Altoona Blair County Airport Authority.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc., 719 N 4^th Avenue, Altoona. Friends will also be received from 11 am to Noon on Thursday, January 13 at the funeral home where a funeral service will immediately follow at Noon. Interment will be made at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dennis’s honor to the Central PA Humane Society, 1837 E Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602 or the Bedford County Humane Society, 182 Bohn Road, Bedford, PA 15522.