Rudolph Max Beham

Rudolph Max Beham, 88, of Toledo, Ohio passed away on May 31 surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 12, 1929 to Josef and Theresa Beham, as the youngest of four sons and the only one born in America. Rudy met Betty, his loving wife of nearly 65 years, when they both worked at Toledo Pipe Threading. He built the home where together they would raise a family of seven children, 14 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren (with one more on the way). During that time Rudy moved on to Libbey-Owens-Ford, where he worked for 36 years. Rudy was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a sergeant in the Korean War. In addition to participating in the capture and securing of Seoul, Rudy was one of the “Chosin Few,” the fortunate survivors of the Chosin Reservoir campaign. In November 1950, during the coldest winter North Korea had experienced in 100 years, a U.N. contingent including U.S. soldiers was in pursuit of North Korean troops when Chinese forces trapped them in the mountains. Surrounded and outnumbered 8-to-1, Rudy and his fellow Marines undertook a 13-day, 78-mile trek to the Sea of Japan to reconnect with American forces. Though cut off from any support, they fought their way through 10 Chinese infantry divisions, losing thousands of soldiers to combat and the cold. Many historians consider the Chosin Reservoir campaign to be among the most savage battles of modern warfare. Rudy was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, awarded by the Republic of South Korea. In addition to Rudy’s loyalty to his country, he was devoted to his family. Unconditional and constant love, support, and pride for all his family are values that Rudy taught through example and will remain with us all. He was preceded in death by his parents, Josef and Theresa, and his brothers, Joseph and William. Rudy is survived by his wife, Elizabeth R. (Heintschel) Beham; his children Sharon (David) Leveton, Carolyn Beham, Robert (Debra) Beham, Ronald Beham, Dr. Richard (Joyce) Beham, Joseph (Elizabeth) Beham and Barbara (Terrence) Thomas; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his brother Walter (Mary) Beham; and his sister-in-law Mary Beham. Visitation will be Sunday, June 3, 2018 from 2-8 pm at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo with a 7 pm scripture service. Funeral services will begin with prayers at 9:30 am Tuesday at the funeral home followed by a 10 am funeral mass at Little Flower Catholic Church, 5522 Dorr Street, Toledo. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Rather than flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to Little Flower Parish, Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or Heartbeat of Toledo, 4041 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623.