Hugh Robert Beath, 94, of Kennebunk, Maine, and formerly of Vero Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026, while surrounded by family.
Hugh was born July 28, 1931, in LaGrange, Ill. (formerly Lyons Township) to Charles Phillip Beath and Marion Kate Treadgold of Port Huron, Mich. Hugh attended Lyons Township High School, and like his older brothers, Charles Phillip and Douglas Blake, who pre-deceased him, was a gifted athlete, playing varsity football, basketball, and golf.
Hugh attended the University of Michigan before entering the Army and serving in Germany. He graduated from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.
Hugh married Nancy Lee Davies on Aug. 21, 1956. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. Family was everything to Hugh, who is survived by his wife Nancy and their three children: Douglas (Lori) of Kennebunk, Maine; Stuart (Laura) of St. Louis, Mo.; and Sally (the late Michael) Burke of Vero Beach.
Hugh is also survived by nine grandchildren: Stuart (Kat); Matt (Carissa); Ben (Allie); Annie (Syd); Haley (Jacob); William (Nicole); Claire (Mark); Cami; Andrew; and nine great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his niece and nephews, Barbara, Tom, Peter, and Phillip.
Friends were also a huge part of Hugh and Nancy’s life. In addition to lifelong friends from La Grange, Ill., and Rye, Hugh and Nancy were also blessed with dear friends from Vero Beach and Kennebunk, Maine.
Hugh started his business career at the investment banking and brokerage firm Hornblower & Weeks in Chicago. Hugh and Nancy then moved to Rye when Hugh went to work for Lehman Brothers, where he would become a partner and oversee Global Retail Brokerage Operations.
Hugh then had executive roles at Heublein Inc. and John Blair & Co. His final role was Chairman and CEO of ADVO Systems.
In 1992, Hugh retired and moved with Nancy to Stuart, Fla. In 1998, they moved to Vero Beach.
Hugh and Nancy spent their summers in Kennebunk, Maine, where Hugh enjoyed many of his days playing golf at his beloved Webhannet Golf Club. Hugh shot his age or better on numerous occasions, the last time at age 90 when he carded an 83 at Webhannet.
For any memorials, please consider making a donation to the Webhannet Charitable Foundation or a charity of your choice.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Hugh’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, Maine.
