Roger Marcus Bean, May 2, 1934 – May 2, 2025

This amazing piano man had over 300 tunes arranged in his head.  His arrangements were golden.  He attributed his knowledge of the piano to his years of Chopin study.  Roger brought comfort to many while playing at Kadlec hospital waiting room every Thursday for almost 20 years.  Dressed up and groomed, he played there the week before he died.  Earlier, he played in restaurants in the Tri-Cities. During this time, he prepared programs for a retirement home, complete with backgrounds on composers and the times they made their music.

In the mid-1950’s Roger helped pay his way through college by playing piano: his undergraduate degree  at Rutgers University, New Jersey, and a Ph.D. at the University of Utah. While getting settled at U of U, he met the love of his life, Joyce Zeigel on a blind date.  Their marriage lasted 68 years, though Roger would often say, “It’s not long enough.”  Both admit their marriage was quite a ride, and often urge troubled couples not to give up before the miracle happens.

As a Chemist, Roger won recognition for patents and leadership at PNNL, Battelle North West. For many years in his retirement, he was a daily golfer, loving to play with the “gangsome.” He was known for his dry, quick wit.

His lifelong passions were creating piano arrangements and learning. He read from many newspapers and books daily.

Closest loved ones surviving his death are his wife, Joyce, and their children, Laura, Susan, and Michael. Though living in other states, he was proud of their 7 grand children, and 9 great grand children.  He enjoyed the family’s visits to their Tri-Cities home, and created a warm. welcoming environment for them.

Roger Bean was intelligent, talented, private, and highly disciplined. He was a principled man, with meticulous habits.  He had a loyal and appreciative heart.  We grieve yet know that Roger Bean will be remembered by those who knew him and heard him play.