My friend and County Supervisor David Beyeler passed away last week after an extended medical battle that he did not let effect his job or outlook for all who knew him...
I spent many days at my County District Supervisor’s home office which was a small room attached to a one time operating dairy barn and learned so much about farming, local history, old bottle collecting (especially Milk bottles), local economy, local politics, and how to read those in politics… A office full of books, reports, artifacts, commemorative items, milk bottles, and old campaign signs. A computer that he would “peck” at and was so happy once he found that with windows he could work on county business while monitoring the status of a bid he made on a milk bottle on e-bay at the same time…
He pretty much knew everybody in his South River district and knew how they were related to each other. Many times he would ask me who I saw at GOP functions, at work, or even just about town. How did they pronounce their names. Or “What was their “momma’s maiden name” like I would have asked that?... Over the years I have done many hikes along the Appalachian Trail as well as lesser known trails in the county and he would ask off what road, where did I park, how was the trail, and then tell me local history of that area.
He introduced me to the local “Historical Bottle Diggers of Virginia” club that I am now a member of and have made several valuable friends. This group of collectors has incredible knowledge and research skills in locating and identifying all different types of bottles and presenting this information. Of course having been a dairy farmer in the past he focused on milk bottles and their history. The last time I spoke with him was just after our bottle club meeting that he was not able to attend and the first thing he asked was who was there and how was everybody. He sounded tired but perked up when I spoke about one of our members finding a little known milk bottle for $4 in a local antiques store and after research it turns out to be the only know specimen of a dairy that only operated in Washington DC from 1920-21. A wealth of information and observation…
He also knew much of the local economic history of the area as well as the State and not just only from being a county Supervisor. He knew the local business owners simply because he saw them grow up in the community and in the business world. Anybody who has spent time at the local farm co-op knows that this is an opportune place to learn who is doing what and where as well as who is planting what. This was always evident the many times I saw him walk the mile long route of the Stuarts Draft Volunteer Firemen’s parade where he was constantly stopped and approached by local business owners usually ending with a pat on the back…
He always made it a point to be in the Stuarts Draft parade for this was not only in his backyard but these were the people he represented and cared for. He provided the wagon and supplies when it was requested and even went along with some of the “Extensive” floats that I put together. In fact the joke often was there could always be more room made in his barn to store some of these “Projects”… I never did see him make it down to the BIG Buena Vista Labor day parade but he was always sure to ask how it went and if I had photos. But during my “Drill here, Drill now” phase of my “political issue involvement” efforts, it seemed I often got the raised eyebrow response from him…
He was very interested when a local GOP volunteer and friend of mine Chris Green ran for the Rockbridge County Supervisor seat. I helped Chris with some of his campaign and worked several voting locations on election day. Chris is a very impressive “Numbers” guy and knows his data. He often pointed out how well Augusta County managed their money and has an impressive debt to revenue ratio. David was always quick to look to how projects would be paid for and how “Free money” from DC or Richmond was never “Free”….
One of the most valuable and treasured things I learned from my friend was how to read those in politics and question their motives. Something that should always happen no matter how much ‘Political coin” they may have built up in the past. Those who know local Augusta GOP committee history know what I mean and many are grateful for his help and knowledge during a very tough time and transition…
As mentioned by another local GOP member recently, David would often say "Never get into an argument with a crazy person. A neutral person would never be able to figure out which one was crazy and which one was sane." So true…
I will miss my friend…..
