Ronald Kirk Bean

Ronald Kirk Bean, 68, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2025, in Parker, Colorado, after facing a series of health issues.

Born on November 2, 1956, in Casper, Wyoming, to Keith Bean and Phyllis (Fordyce) Bean Harris, he attended Fairdale Elementary School, East Junior High and Kelly Walsh High School, graduating in 1975.

After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and served from June 16, 1975 to June 16, 1979 on the U.S. Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23), reaching the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. The Richard E. Byrd at that time was a Navy goodwill ship, and visited many ports all over the world representing America and her armed forces. You could hardly mention any major city or country in the world, and Ron would have stories about the time he spent there during his service time in the Navy.

After he finished his time at sea, Ron worked at Schlumberger Power Systems for two years. In 1981, he went to work for the Natrona County School District, and worked as a custodian at Kelly Walsh for several years, initiating the tradition of putting Christmas lights around a flag pole in the shape of a Christmas tree. After his time at Kelly Walsh, he took over as head custodian at Midwest High School, and in addition to his custodial duties, came up with the idea of putting an oil pump on the football field to honor the town’s role in the statewide oil industry. He worked for the school district for 30 years before he retired in 2011.

For more than a decade, he lived at the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming in Buffalo and was happy there, in large part because of the beauty of the area and the good memories he had from visiting the home when he was a child and his grandfather, Lloyd M. Fordyce, was commandant of the facility.

Ron was married to Debbie (Potter) Bean and they have two children, Ashton, who lives in Midwest and works in the oil industry, and Ronda, who lives in Rock Springs and works in the health industry.

He had many hobbies and collections that kept him occupied, and he was always happy to talk about the latest Beanie Baby or Hot Wheels car he had added to his stash. He also loved motorcycles, and took many extended trips around Wyoming and to the annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.

Ron is survived by his son, Ashton, his daughter, Ronda (Cory Hendrickson), and his wife of many years, Debbie, of Casper. He is also survived by his brother Russ (Sherrie), of Parker, Colorado, and his brother Greg (Linda), of Plattsburgh, New York. He also has several nieces, nephews and cousins who live in Wyoming, Colorado and New York.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Phyllis Bean, grandparents, Lloyd M. Fordyce, grandmother Pauline Fordyce Smith (Carl) of Casper, grandfather William Bean and grandmother Essie Bean of Rock Springs, his cousin, Coleman Bean and his beloved dog, Riley. He was also preceded in death by his uncle, Lloyd M. Fordyce, Jr., and his wife, Georgia, of Casper, with whom his family spent many happy holidays and clan get togethers.

A service in his memory is planned for 2 p.m. June 27, at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville, Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in his name to the hospice facility of your choice