Fred F. Beebe; Petroleum Production Pioneer

Fred F. Beebe, a retired petroleum production pioneer, died Sunday at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. He was 73.

He was born June 16, 1926, in Maricopa, Calif. He grew up in that area and later graduated from Taft High School in Taft.

Beebe enlisted in the Navy during World War II and spent time in China.

In 1955, he moved to Ventura and worked for Technical Service. He then worked for Regan Offshore, became its vice president of service and was responsible for the company’s service operations worldwide.

Beebe was instrumental in pioneering many of the procedures for running, testing and installing the sub-sea drilling and production systems that were manufactured by Regan Offshore. He also supervised the training of service personnel.

He retired in 1986, after 28 years with the company.

He remained active in the industry as president of the local chapter of the Petroleum Production Pioneers.

His hobbies included woodworking. He made bookcases, cabinets, doors and was an excellent handyman, according to his family.

Beebe is survived by his wife of 28 years, Maria; daughter Theresa Beebe-Hayley of Ventura; stepsons Pete Juarez of Ventura and William Culhane of San Diego; brothers Lawrence Beebe of Orcutt and Merle Beebe of Taft; six grandchildren and one great-grandson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be sent to the Leukemia Society of America.

Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura.

Funeral services are scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Church in Ventura, with Father John Higgins officiating. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.