Bobby Dillon Beaver, 84, of Rockwell, passed away quietly on Thursday, August 3, 2017 in Liberty Lane Hospice House at the Salisbury Veterans’ Administration Medical Center surrounded by his closest loved ones. Born on November 12, 1932 in Rowan County, he was the son of the late Carlee A. Beaver and the late Quinn M. Beaver.

After graduating from Rockwell High School he studied business and accounting at Catawba College and worked in the office at Pet Dairy in Salisbury. On March 1, 1953, Bob married the love of his life Rebecca Cooke. Shortly after getting married, he was drafted into the US Army and completed basic training at Fort Bragg, NC. He trained as a tank Commander and was stationed at Fort Knox, KY protecting the nation’s gold reserve. After serving two years in the Army, he was honorably discharged. Throughout his life he remained a true patriot and held true to the oath he swore upon military induction, that he would defend the nation against all enemies both foreign and domestic.

Afterwards, Bob worked for his late father-in-law, Fred Cooke at Fred’s Machine Shop on Klumac Rd. in Salisbury as a machinist, welder and general repairman for anything metal. Later on, Bob purchased the machine shop, renaming the business Beaver Machine Shop. For a number of years, he served as repairman for a variety of businesses, farmers and individuals prior to his retirement in 1998.

Bob was known for never meeting a stranger, sharing his testimony for the Gospel and living an exemplary Christian lfe. He sang in a men’s gospel quartet at Bethel Baptist Church and in his earlier years he sang with the Coachmen barbershop quartet of Salisbury.

Bob was an avid sports fan supporting East Rowan football and baseball, Rowan County American Legion Baseball, and Salisbury High School soccer where both of his grandsons were star players. He enjoyed fishing and hunting small game and especially enjoyed hearing a pack of beagles run.

The family acknowledges and appreciates all of the yard and garden work, firewood and other homestead chores provided by cousins and friends during his illness.

The Beaver family wishes to express their profound gratitude and praise for the genuine expressions of Christian love directed to Bob by many of the believers from Bethel Baptist Church of Rockwell, NC during his illness. The family is very grateful for the compassionate and professional end of life care Bob received from the staff in the Liberty Lane Hospice House at the Salisbury VAMC.

In addition to his parents Carlee and Quinn Beaver, Bob was preceded in death by brothers Donald W. Beaver, Harold D. Beaver and Gary A. Beaver Sr., and sister Lana B.Moore.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of more than 64 years, Becky C. Beaver of Rockwell; son Bradford A. Beaver (wife Melonie) of Salisbury; grandsons Alex Beaver (wife Katie) of Atlanta GA and Addison Beaver of Salisbury; brother; Alan L. Beaver (wife LaVaughn) of Granite Quarry; sisters-in-law Helen M. Beaver of Wilson, NC and Lena K. Beaver of Clemmons, NC; seven nephews and one niece.

A 2:00 PM memorial service will be conducted at Bethel Baptist Church, 401 Depot St., Rockwell, NC 28138 on Tuesday, August 8, 2017. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the church prior to the service. At all other times, the family will receive visitors at the family home in Rockwell, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Liberty Lane Hospice House at the Salisbury VAMC, 1601 Brenner Ave., Salisbury, NC 28144, or to Bethel Baptist Church, 401 Depot St., Rockwell, NC 28138.

Carolina Cremation of Salisbury and Charlotte is serving the Beaver family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.