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Theodore A. "Ted" Beam Jr., 73, of Altoona, passed away on Thursday at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, following a courageous battle with heart disease. He was born in Altoona, oldest child of the late Theodore A. "Ted" Beam Sr. and the late Georgia "Louise" (Winters) Beam. On July 10, 1999, he married the love of his life, Catherine "Cathy" Cronin, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Altoona.
In addition to his wife, Ted is survived by his brothers, Thomas "Tom" (Brenda) of Altoona and David (Lisa) of Orwigsburg; and his sisters: Sharon Baker of Altoona, Ruth Anne Schultz (Glen) of Yardley and Dana Hanlon (Brett) of State College; his brothers-in-law, Dan Cronin (Fran) of Siloam Springs, Ark., and Edward Cronin of Summerville, S.C.; and his sisters-in-law: Peggy Burbage, Terry Kramer and Sharon Golden, all of Summerville, S.C. Ted is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Stefanie, Kristin, Sara Jo, Rachel, Travis, Grant, Luke, Kellie, Adam, Abby, Ben, Nicholas, Therese, Amanda, Samantha,
Christine and Elizabeth; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Ted was predeceased by his parents; and brothers-in-law ,Harold Kramer and Craig Golden, both of Summerville, S.C.
Ted was a 1970 graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School and went on to graduate from Penn State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He was employed by the Altoona Area School District as an English teacher at Keith Junior High School and at Stevens Alternative School, completing his teaching career back at Keith before his retirement from the school district.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Ted loved politics and public service. He was elected and served as an Altoona City Councilman. While on City Council, he was the Director of Public Safety. After retiring from teaching, he was a two-term
(8 years) elected Commissioner for the County of Blair. He also served as a member of the Altoona Civil Service Board, the City of Altoona Zoning Hearing Board and the Altoona Parking Authority.
Ted loved sports. As a student at Bishop Guilfoyle, he was a student manager of the BG boy's basketball team. He was proud to be affiliated with the 1970 PCIAA Boys state championship team and was thrilled to be included in their 2022 Blair County Sports Hall of Fame Team Award.
Ted was a very respected PIAA sports official. He was a member of the District 6 Gerald Spalding Chapter of High School Basketball Officials, retiring after 43 years of service on the hardwood. During this time, he was selected to officiate two PIAA state championship basketball games. As a member of the George Iuzzolino Chapter of Football Officials, he was also a long-time football referee, working a PIAA state championship before his retirement from the sport. After retirement from active officiating, Ted continued on as an official's evaluator in both sports, helping to mentor many officials from around the region.
Since 1972, Ted was involved with Penn State Football. In his early years, he was involved in the broadcasting aspect, working with TCS. He then became the longtime
"spotter," working in the booth with the likes of George Paterno, Fran
Fisher, Jack Ham and Steve Jones. At the time of his death, Ted was the game clock operator in Beaver Stadium. He truly loved all 53 seasons of being affiliated with Penn State Football. In addition to PSU football, Ted also currently worked for PSU mens and womens basketball. He began as the official's liaison for both teams, and transitioned into his duties as the game clock timer for mens and womens basketball at the Bryce Jordan Center. Because of his own basketball officiating background, he became fast friends with many of the Big Ten officials from around the country, who kept in contact with him throughout the years.
Summer saw Ted transition into the sport of baseball. He was an official scorer for Altoona Curve Baseball and the Eastern League, beginning in the Curve's second season of play in 2000. This year marked Ted's 26th season as the Curve's official scorer.
Ted was passionate about playing golf. He was a longtime member of Park Hills Golf Club. He loved golfing with his friends and enjoyed their camaraderie, both on the course as well as in the clubhouse upon completion of their rounds. Additionally, Ted was a member of many local clubs, including the Heidelberg Country Club of Blair County, Swiss Club of Altoona, Unter Uns,
Buccinese Society, the Bavarian Aid Society, Knights of Columbus and the Ebensburg Moose.
Ted loved to travel with his wife, Cathy. Their favorite place was Aruba, their "home away from home." Ted and Cathy spent many years vacationing in Aruba together after falling in love with the island while there on their honeymoon. Ted's other favorite places he traveled to with Cathy included Ireland, Italy, Maine, South Carolina and Florida, especially Key West and Fort Myers.
Family was very important to Ted. He fiercely loved and appreciated his parents, all of his brothers and sisters and their children. He was so proud of everyone's accomplishments. Everyone loved "Uncle Ted."
A private vigil for the deceased will be held at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona, where a public visitation will begin at 3 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 511 20th St., Altoona, with Father Lubomir Strecok, Celebrant. Committal will be held at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the charity of one's choice in Memory of Ted. Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamily
funeralhomes.com of Stevens Family funeral Homes Facebook.