In memory of Gary Bean
by Meryl becker
I met Gary in 1975 when I first came to Massachusetts and to the Havurah, when he was living at the Hav, and our friendship continued from there. We spent many years sharing meals and going to demonstrations and to see Reb Zalman speak. We spent one Passover Seder together with our respective spouses starting in 1978 and continuing until this year. One of our funniest memories was attending a talk by Ram Das together when I was eight months pregnant and everyone assumed Gary was the father! Gary had serious knowledge of Judaism and Torah - he considered becoming a rabbi - but also had a great sense of humor and was always ready with a joke. It will be a less joyful world without him.
Here is more about Gary from his obituary.
Gary M. C. Bean of Sudbury, formerly of Chelsea, died on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Gary leaves behind his wife Kathleen; his daughter Sarah, her husband John, and their son Samuel; his son Alex, Alex’s wife Sandhya, and their children Kiran and Maya; and his brother Warren Bean.
Gary's adult journey with Judaism began with his attendance at the Harvard Hillel Sceptics' Lunches with Rabbi Maurice L Sigmond, then on to the Havurat Shalom in Somerville and finally for many years at Congregation Beth El in Sudbury where he was active in Torah and Talmud study groups, taught Hebrew school and preschool and was active in social action committees. Gary also studied at Hebrew College in Newton, was advisor to the Framingham State University Jewish Student organization, and designed and built many geodesic sukkas.
He graduated from Harvard in 1968 with a degree in Applied Mathematics. Following graduation Gary went to Botswana as a teacher and teacher trainer with the Peace Corps. In 1976, Gary received his masters degree at Tufts in Education and Psychology. Gary continued his career in education, working with students of all ages.
Gary was passionate about social justice and peace. He participated in numerous protests in the 60’s and 70’s. He was a member of NDAG(Non-violent Direct Action Group), a group that protested against the Vietnam War. He was a delegate for McGovern at the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami. He remained active in various local Sudbury, state and federal politics. More recently, Gary attended the weekly protests in Sudbury Center against the family separation policies at our southern border. Gary was currently a member of Sudbury’s Energy and Sustainability Committee and the Sudbury Democratic Town Committee.
Here is more about Gary from his obituary.
Gary M. C. Bean of Sudbury, formerly of Chelsea, died on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Gary leaves behind his wife Kathleen; his daughter Sarah, her husband John, and their son Samuel; his son Alex, Alex’s wife Sandhya, and their children Kiran and Maya; and his brother Warren Bean.
Gary's adult journey with Judaism began with his attendance at the Harvard Hillel Sceptics' Lunches with Rabbi Maurice L Sigmond, then on to the Havurat Shalom in Somerville and finally for many years at Congregation Beth El in Sudbury where he was active in Torah and Talmud study groups, taught Hebrew school and preschool and was active in social action committees. Gary also studied at Hebrew College in Newton, was advisor to the Framingham State University Jewish Student organization, and designed and built many geodesic sukkas.
He graduated from Harvard in 1968 with a degree in Applied Mathematics. Following graduation Gary went to Botswana as a teacher and teacher trainer with the Peace Corps. In 1976, Gary received his masters degree at Tufts in Education and Psychology. Gary continued his career in education, working with students of all ages.
Gary was passionate about social justice and peace. He participated in numerous protests in the 60’s and 70’s. He was a member of NDAG(Non-violent Direct Action Group), a group that protested against the Vietnam War. He was a delegate for McGovern at the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami. He remained active in various local Sudbury, state and federal politics. More recently, Gary attended the weekly protests in Sudbury Center against the family separation policies at our southern border. Gary was currently a member of Sudbury’s Energy and Sustainability Committee and the Sudbury Democratic Town Committee.