Kent Beauchamp loved his family and friends well, and they in turn loved him well.  Kent passed away on April 30, 2020 after 86 years on this earth.  Now the angels in heaven are rejoicing, as they get the pleasure of enjoying Kent's company in person.  Those of us he left behind will have to wait our turn to be with him again.  Anyone who knew Kent knew that he could light up the room with his personality as well as his ability to tell stories that would keep them captivated and laughing until their eyes watered.  A Chicago native who grew up on the south side and went to South Shore High School, he was a bright student and gifted athlete in baseball, 16" softball and basketball.  His formative years were spent with his mother Verona and sister Robin after his parent's divorce.  At a young age he developed a love for music, especially jazz, tat carried on into his adult life.  After receiving a Geology degree from the University of Illinois and a brief stint in the Navy, Kent returned to Chicago to work as a salesman for a record distribution company.  Several years later, he and a fellow coworker and lifelong friend, Eddie Yalowitz, started their own music distribution and talent firm, Royal Disc Distributors.  They were located on South Michigan Avenue and counted the famous Chess Records as neighbors and contemporaries.  Their keen ear for talent, tireless work ethic, and business savvy created a force in the developing record and cassette tape market as music was exploding in the US during the 1960's.

Kent met Diana, his bride of 53 years, in Chicago via a mutual connection, and they married in June of 1966.  Their sons, Brad and Todd, arrived in 1967 and 1969 respectively.  The family settled in Riverwoods, IL from 1969 until present.  In 1974, Kent was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  A successful set of operations left him partially paralyzed and having to relearn basic kills, but had kept his mind intact.  This experience, coupled with Diana's personal faith, led him to a deep and profound faith in Christ that he was eager to share with others.  He also chose to sell his business and devote the rest of his career to serving the Lord by assisting Trinity College and Divinity School in their operations and fundraising.  He pioneered the use of the college facilities to host summer sports camps long before this became the common practice we know today.  He viewed it as an excellent way to not only use the campus when no students were attending, but to provide an atmosphere where young people could hear the gospel through sports and their sports heroes.

After retiring from Trinity, he spent his time mentoring not only his sons but countless other men as they sought to be better fathers, husbands, and businessmen.  He and Diana have been anchors at North Suburban Evangelical Free Church for more than 50 years.  Kent is survived by Diana; his son Brad, wife Shelley, their sons Brighton, Hayden an Landon; his son Todd, wife Heather, their daughter Brookelyn and son Thatcher; as well as his sister Robin.  He will be deeply missed by not only his family, but by the great multitude of people who called him their friend.

in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to:

Skyword Ministries

P O Box 10

Glenview, IL   60026

https://www.moodychurch.org/skyword-ministries/

This was a charity that was near an dear to his heart and one where he served for over 20 years.