Kenneth Dale Beyer

The Father of the Luray Hawksbill Greenway, Kenneth Dale Beyer, 95, of Luray, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

He was born on September 12, 1930, in Chicago, IL, and was the son of the late William Beyer and Frances Hood Beyer.

Kenneth was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church. He had a long career as a computer analyst learning his skills while serving during the Korean Conflict, and at various universities. 

Kenneth worked at Parker Hannifin in Des Plaines, lL, Lutheran Church in America in Philadelphia, and Germantown Lutheran Home in Philadelphia, from which he retired.

Ken was a kind man with the heart of a servant. He lovingly cared for his wife of 73 years, Jean, whom he met on his twentieth birthday. He was a great dad to his daughters, a fun grandfather, a good friend, and he faithfully served and followed his God. He always felt his greatest achievement was in the perseverance and dedication it took to become an Eagle Scout. Those skills only set him up for what came later. After retiring to Luray, VA, from Ambler, PA, he, along with the Director of Parks and Recreation Pat O'Brien, founded the Luray Hawksbill Greenway. He was known to say, "I never wanted accolades. I only wanted a Greenway." Recently he was happy to watch the expansion and continued growth as Board Member emeritus.

On April 1, 1952, he married Jean W. Boergerhoff Beyer, who survives.

In addition to his wife, Kenneth is survived by two daughters, Kimberly Ritter of Milton, PA, and Cory Alderfer and husband Ronald of Telford, PA; a sister, Michele Pittatsis and husband Paul of Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Kendall Whipple, Kelsey Cole, Brett Michener and Paige Michener-Portock; and six great-grandchildren, Gregory, Christian and Joshua Whipple, Riley Fidler, Landon Stabler and Harper Cole. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Alma, VA, where friends and family may call from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. There will be more time to visit with the family following the service.

On Sunday, October 12, please consider walking on the Greenway in memory of Ken. The family will meet at 1:00 p.m. at the loop.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Luray Hawksbill Greenway, payable to the Hawksbill Greenway Foundation, P.O. Box 629, Luray, VA 22835 (https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/luray-hawksbill-greenway-and-recreation-foundation/10-23).

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.