Richard "Rick" Beard

Richard Michael “Rick” Beard, Hualien City, Taiwan passed away on July 14, 2019 at the age of 66. Rick was born on June 14, 1953, in McCook, Nebraska, to Everett E. and Ilene (Younger) Beard. After suffering a massive heart attack, Rick was promoted to heaven Sunday morning, July 14, 2019. Rick grew up in McCook and attended McCook High School, graduating with the class of 1971. In high school Rick was an accomplished athlete in multiple sports and a respected thespian. He is also a graduate of Frontier Bible School in La Grange, Wyoming, and Calvary University, Kansas City, Missouri. Rick attained his Master Degree and PhD in Biblical Counseling, as well as a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Theological Seminary.

Rick’s early ministry was spent faithfully serving congregations in McCook, Imperial, and Crawford, Nebraska. He and his first wife, Vicky, raised their three daughters in rural Nebraska and the Kansas City area.During Rick’s time in Kansas City he worked at Marion Laboratories and at Sprint.

On January 26, 2002, Rick and Barbara Sellers were joined in marriage and began a wonderful life journey serving the Lord. From 2008 to 2016 Rick joyfully led the congregation of Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church in Garden City, MO.

In 2016 Rick’s lifelong dream to live in Asia came to be. One Mission Society offered Rick the opportunity to pastor an International English Christian church on the island of Taiwan. Rick and Barb immersed themselves in their Taiwan congregation and the culture and the people of this beautiful island.

Rick was respected and beloved by his congregations. He loved the Lord, he cherished family and he deeply cared for his congregations and friends. His spiritual leadership, joy-filled personality, quick wit and kind ways will forever be missed.

Rick was preceded in death by his grandparents and father.

Survivors include his mother; his beloved wife, Barb; daughters Amber Young, Amity Beard, Alyson Maxwell; step-daughter Kylie and husband Matt Holt; step-son Beau Sellers; step-daughter Holly and husband Trent Jordan; brother Charles and wife Meri Sue; sister Catherine; 9 grandchildren - William, Owen, Lillian, Finnegan, Sydnea, Myles, Evie, Jane, Rose; nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles; and a host of loving friends worldwide including Tiffany Joy Kung.

A Visitation was Friday, August 16, 2019 at Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church in Garden City, MO. Memorial services were held Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church with a graveside service immediately following. A previous memorial was held August 4, 2019 at Tainan Holiness Church in Tainan, Taiwan.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to One Mission Society, Rick Beard Memorial Gifts. This fund will be used for Taiwan East Coast Pastor’s Library and Training.