Obituary for B. Eldis Beets at Affinity All Faiths Mortuary (2024)

B. Eldis Beets 94, passed away in a peaceful sleep at his home on August 1,2024 after a year plus battle with cancer. Born in Wichita, Kansas to Milton C and Aulta Beets on December 30, 1929, Eldis became the, third in a family of boys – Max O, and Wallace C his older brothers by 10 and 7 years. Aulta was so sure she was having a girl she couldn’t come up with a boy’s name, so B it remained. His grandmother came up with the inspired Eldis, and B. Eldis Beets was born with a story to tell. Eldis was an accountant for most of his professional life, until his retirement in 1995. Once retired, he continued to work for a select few clients, and the only sign that he had retired was his attire. Instead of a shirt and tie he now wore a golf shirt. While proud of being an accountant, golf was his first love. Had the fates been different pro golfer would have been his chosen profession. Eldis was a scratch golfer and was known as the closer in many a tournament. When health limited his ability to continue the game to his standards, he was able to indulge that love by being a long-time board member of the Wichita Golf Association. Serving as both the Secretary/Treasurer and President. Being a starter on the first tee brought him no end of pleasure. In 2010, the association honored him with the re- naming of a tournament as the Eldis Beets City 4-Ball. The Wichita Eagle celebrated him and this honor in the article “Honoring a pillar of Wichita’s golf scene.” While he was good at golf during high school, he said he didn’t get really good until his time in the military. But the military game as a means to an end. Graduating East High School in 1947, he enrolled at the University of Wichita (WSU now), pledging to the Men of Webster and for that first year life was good. But the money ran out. Being a practical man, he decided to enlist in the Air Force. By May 1949 he was now Private First-Class Beets. Over the next three years he celebrated his birthday in three capitals of the world. Washington DC he was trained as weather observer (a passion a carried throughout his life), Tokyo, Japan in Russian language school, and Seoul, Korea with the Hq 6969 th Armed Forces Security Squadron. In Korea, they used his unique talents to break codes used by Russian and South Korean pilots. If asked about his work during that time, he would only say “if I told you I’d have to shoot you.” We took him at his word. Staff Sargent Beets was honorably discharged on October 1 st , 1952. He viewed his service with pride, and that service rewarded him with the opportunity to continue his college education with the GI Bill. Upon returning home, he picked up his education where he left off with the emphasis on business accounting. Eldis graduated with a BS in 1956. He lent those skills to a variety of employers over the next few years but put his full talents to use with Edward A Francis until Ed’s retirement, and then worked with Larry Hiebert until Eldis proudly opened his own practice in 1983. It wasn’t all learning and working, he also started a family. He married Barbara Magruder in December of 1952, and in 1964 they became the proud parents of their son Bradford Scott. Brad went on to marry wife Lisa and in 1992 they become proud parents of Eldis’ granddaughter, Bailey. Brad and Bailey are a source of pride greater than all before mentioned. In June 1980, Eldis and Linda got married and began their 44-year journey together that continued until this recent August afternoon. Eldis is proceed in death by his mother Aulta, his father Milton. His brother Max O and Wallace C. The mother of his son, Barbara. He is survived by his wife Linda, his son Brad (Lisa) and his granddaughter Bailey. Service will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Riverlawn Christian Church, 4243 N Meridian Ave, Wichita, KS 67204. In lieu of flowers, we asked that a donation be sent in Eldis’ name to the Harry Hynes Hospice https://www.hynesmemorial.org/ways-to-donate/ It is hard to close a chapter on a man who lived such a complete life. He was so many things to so many. He was a husband, a father, grandfather, friend. He was guardian to those who needed him, he was Santa with a big ho ho ho. He took people’s money playing golf or cards ,but in turn gave them sound business advice that was worth so much more. He has been described as loyal, sincere, honest and dependable. He was also a forgiving man but know this- even from heaven he will never forgive the City of Wichita for turning Clapp Park into a disc Golf course.