Robert "Bob" Knott Beal Jr.

Robert "Bob" Knott Beal Jr., 83, of Little Rock, died from long-standing cardiac problems Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013. Bob was born Jan. 25, 1930, in Little Rock. He graduated from Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tenn. in 1948. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy. On Jan. 31, 1955, he married Gladys Ellen Mason, who preceded him in death two weeks earlier after a marriage of more than 60 years. The seventh of nine siblings, Bob enjoyed a quick wit and skill for storytelling. He loved to entertain and often hosted loved ones at the Heights home he shared with Gladys. A man dedicated to his profession, Bob served more than 50 years as a leader at Little Rock's Rector Phillips Morse real estate agency, where he served as president of RPM Management Company and most recently as chairman emeritus of RPM. A certified property manager, he provided asset management duties and supervised property managers for large commercial spaces. He was an active member of the local and national chapters of the Institute of Real Estate Management, for which he served as a regional vice president, the association's Legacy of Leaders member and IREM Foundation board member, and from which he received several awards of distinction, including the 2008 Arkansas chapter Man of the Year award. He mentored and supported two RPM employees who became IREM national presidents. He also served as the Arkansas state director of the International Council of Shopping Centers for three years. A strong community advocate, Bob was a member of the Little Rock Civil Service Commission, for which he also served as chairman from 1988 to 1995. He served on the vestry at St. Marks Episcopal Church, where he and his wife were longtime members. Bob is preceded in death by his father, Robert Knott Beal; his mother, Leila Ellen Smith Beal; wife Gladys Ellen Mason Beal; brother Samuel Gallatin Beal; and sisters Leila Beal Bevensee, Medora Beal Grissom, Lenora Beal Lefever and Elizabeth Beal Mayhew. He is survived by brothers Joseph Turner Beal of Kettering, Ohio, and James Harrison Beal of San Marcos, Calif.; sister Catherine Ruth Beal Erickson of Des Moines, Iowa; daughter Rebekah "Becky" Ellen Beal; favorite cousin, Samuel Theodore "Ros" Smith Jr. of Conway; and constant canine companion, Libby. A visitation will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi Ave., Little Rock, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. A celebration of Bob's life will be held Thursday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m., also at St. Mark's. He will be interred alongside wife Gladys at St. Mark's Garden Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark's or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com