The Impact of Suicide

Author’s Note: The following was captured from the Facebook page Maintainer Humor, with their permission. I have no doubt that the commenters would have been fine with their full names being used, but I shortened them anyway.

Rather than a full article, I’m going to let the comments speak for themselves. It shows the impact that suicide has on those left behind, not only the families, but also coworkers, and even strangers with shared bonds like military service. Shared bonds can also include people who have lost loved ones, friends, or coworkers to suicide.

If you have ideations of suicide or just need to talk to someone, please: Dial 988 Option 1, Text 838255, or Chat Online at Veteran’s Crisis Line.

A poignant line from his obituary, “Timothy James Beamesderfer, 39, of Pottstown, PA, passed away on his own terms on Sunday, September 15, 2024.”

The post has comments from Tim’s wife, father, and many coworkers. To date it has garnered more than:

806 reactions

96 comments

74 shares

Maintainer Humor Post

Follower request. Sad news on a retired Crew Chief who joined the 22. Condolences to all who knew him. Link to a GoFundMe is in the comments. Update: You guys are tearing me up with your comments. Wish I’d met the guy)

Obituary

Donate to Honoring Tim: A Beacon of Love and Light, organized by Ebony Jennings

Tim H RiP Beam. Thank you for making me actually feel comfortable while evaluating my PE’s. Thanks for all the random knowledge daily. Thanks for caring about your airmen. No one will ever compare. I’ll have a Yueingling for ya.

Jonathan R He was the last troop I supervised at Dyess before I separated back in 2006. Goofy but kind. Wanted to learn and get involved. Wasn’t afraid to get dirty and a good crew chief. Kept up with him for his entire 20 and also know his wife from when I ran into him and her at Minot back in 2015 and she worked for us at the BX there for a brief time.

This hurts my heart because he leaves behind a loving wife and two little ones. Myself and others had just talked to him recently about his struggles but we thought he was doing better.

Marc B Jonathan R – same, I spoke with him almost 2 weeks ago

Liz G – Jonathan R he trained a bunch of us at Dyess

Amanda E Jonathan R I served with him back in 2005/6 at Dyess and he was always great to work with. My heart hurts for him and his family.

David N Jonathan R Sorry to hear John. Sad to hear another passed. I too lost one of my Crew Chiefs the same way.

Stephanie M Jonathan R That’s makes the loss harder – when you think they’re doing better and then they are suddenly gone. Please try not to feel guilt. Much love towards your crew.

James D Jonathan R up until the last day or so I didn’t even know he had reached out to anyone at all. It makes me happy to know that y’all were there for him. Had no clue he had this stuff going on.Bottom of Form

Jeff G This one truly stings and hurts. Beam was one hell of a maintainer and person. RIP Brother.

Folks, reach out and seek help. We are one big family and need to take care of each other.

Joseph B Jeff G was he at Minot with us?

Jeff G Joseph B, he was. He was in AMXS there and I worked with Tim in the 130 ISO dock at Dyess.Bottom of Form

Michael C Jeff G last one from the fighter world was the same… the good ones are leaving us far too soon.

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Edell DC Awesome dude and loved by so many here at Minot AFB. When I just got stationed here 11ish years ago, he was one of the first people to invite me to his home and made me feel a bit better being stationed here…..

Cody N You were loved my many, and you will be remembered by all. Rest easy Tim

Steffen H One of the best dudes I ever met, always had a smile on his face and had a great attitude. Did a couple deployments and an iron swap from Dyess with him. He will definitely be missed, just another reminder to check on your buddies.

Trevor B I didn’t get to know him for very long but in the short time I did it was a pleasure. He took over the museum from me upon my retirement. I’ve never met someone that could recite as much historical information on aircraft as him. We have/had a hangar at Ellsworth that was half full of old aircraft parts they had acquired over the years, I saw a big mess to clean up, but his eyes lit up in excitement at all of the history in there. He was the right pick for the job for sure.

Max M Trevor B that’s very accurate illustrates Tim. Perfect story to tell!!!Bottom of Form

Ry B Beam’s walk, mannerisms, and “hey bud” could always be heard and seen from afar. Definitely a great person to have on your mx team! He always worked hard and we’d frequently meet up at shift change turning in tools at Dyess. His uniform never failed at finding all of the dirt on the aircraft . I’ll miss your wealth of knowledge, laugh and loyal friendship. Right now, I can hear you making fun of me for becoming a “zipper suited sun god.” Cheers bud.

Dan O Ry B perfect description of Beam. His uniform was certainly always dirty. So much so I believe he was one we had to fight to get into the chow hall while deployed. We won that time and he got in. Dirty uniforms meant the job was getting done and Beam was always down for Top of Form

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Daryl B One of the best guys I had served with. Gone too soon. He’ll be forever missed..

Ian S Beefandburger…. that’s what I called him. A great friend. I was with him at Dyess and Minot. A couple of deployments as well. He always had a great attitude and had a great sense of humor. What a terrible loss. I’m so sad for his family.

Matt H We’ll miss you Beam! Miss all the airplane stories and all the random “Hello’s” Till Valhalla brother! We’ll have some Lings for ya!

Matthew H One of the best out there, always the guy to cheer up the others. This one hurts, talk to your wingmen. You aren’t alone.

Forrest J Gonna miss you Beam, gave me one of the coolest memories of us launching a 52 out of Ellsworth.

Kyle GD Served with Beam during a rotation to the sandbox. One of the kindest people I’ve ever meet. He was a walking encyclopedia of facts. Beam you will be missed 

Jason R Beams, I wish we knew what you were dealing with. Makes me so angry and sad. We will miss you!

Michael L Never met the man, we weren’t even the same branch, but he’s a fallen brother and the world is a little sadder without him in it. Rest In Peace Beam.

Stephen D Served with Beam at Dyess. One of the nicest guys out on the line and sharp as a tack. Hadn’t spoken with him since I got out, but everytime I swap stories with another veteran, his name seems to usually come up. Thanks for the lasting memories brother, rest easy!!!

Grant H Didn’t know you but Godspeed brother. May you never encounter hardship again.

Shannon Q Didn’t know him since I’ve been out since ’98 but he’s still a brother. Rest in Peace.

Paige D You will be missed. From the moment you got to Ellsworth you were always trying to better the place and your Airmen 

Jennifer K This one hit different. Tim Beamesderfer you always brought a smile to my face. It was an honor to serve with you. Love and prayers to your family.

Aaron W I knew him from Dyess. Beams was a really good dude. Cool crew chief. Hadn’t talked to him in years. I hope he found his peace.

Alexander N Was a good man. Very knowledgeable. Kept the line laughing while on the job. Even though we weren’t in the same shops. I was E/E and he was a CC we still crossed paths. He was loved at Minot. He will be missed.

Denny C RIP brother!

Mike H I learned so many random pieces of military history from Sgt Beam. Great guy.

Terry S He was an awesome guy, both on and off duty. Tim will be sorely missed. Praying for his family that he left behind.

Victor P Served with him at Minot. He was a good man. You’ll be missed Beam

Tim T Great NCO with great people skills. Just a down to earth great person that loved serving.

Zac R 3rd different person I’ve seen posted about this week  RIP brother…

James D Always sad to read something like this. My condolences to his family and friends.

Jim S Slow hand salute 

Chip B Never met him but neither less still a brother. RIP and thank you for your service. 

Anjon S May he rest in peace, forevermore 

Chris R Rest I peace beams. Till Valhalla, brother.

A.J. J. Served with him at Minot, RIP man, very sad.

Robert S RIP

Joe C Prayers for him and his family

Lisa H Till Valhalla Sir  As the mum of one of the 22, also from Ellsworth, I wish you could have seen how much we needed you to but I know those demons. Say hi to Reinwasser for us

Betsy H Great to work with him. Pretty chill guy. He drove a forklift like a grandma and I’m the one that trained him..

James D Yep – Beam was a good dude. Was at Dyess with him all the way back and kept in touch here and there over the years. Still shocked and really puzzled. Sad.

Tom B He used to piss off QA because he would follow the T.O. To the letter when being evaluated. Great guy.

Joshua G Tom B I like this guy already

Valkyrie R Tom Bloomfield it’s so true!

Dan O Valkyrie R Absolutely true. I watched that man do an 8 hour brake change once while being evaluated. Loved Beam.Bottom of Form

John W I wish he could see all this love for him.

Simeon G Damn it man!… Served with my guy at Dyess.

Dan O A few days behind on commenting but RIP Beam. Beam and I were Airmen together at Dyess and deployed together once in 07. Beam was an amazing friend, incredibly kind, funny, and a damn good crew chief. We’ll miss you Beam.

Rodney J This is disheartening, I hate hearing about this kind of loss. If anyone ever needs to talk, I don’t care what time, day or night, I’m usually available. PLEASE MESSAGE ME. We can make a difference in our brothers and sisters lives. They need to know we love them today not when it’s a day late. Until Valhalla Tim, I never knew you, but you will be forever missed.

Joshua C Amazing person… worked around him for quite some time

Steve D Fair winds and following seas…RIP

Toby B Good guy and I’m glad I knew him.

Marc B Tim Beamesderfer was one of a kind. I hope you found peace

Joshua P “now my names Beamesderfer but call me Beam like Jim beam” what a killer crew chief

Benjamin H Bomber BEEEAAAAMMMM!!!! I’m gonna miss you buddy. All the love to the family cause god I can’t imagine the hurt. 

Nicholas T One of the best guys I had the pleasure of working with. He was a great person and crew chief. RIP Beam miss you brother 

Michael K Truly sad to hear. RIP

Donald G Rip

Marc B Doing what he loved most

Michael W I didn’t know Beam as well as some others did, but the few times I interacted with him he was a down to earth, kindhearted person. Rest in peace Beam, I will keep your family in my prayers 

Daniel N Till Valhalla, brother.

Shawanna KE

This just breaks my heart…

I’m a pretty tough character, but this one did something to me…

I’m gonna miss you my friend…

I’m blessed to have known you…

We talked pretty regularly and I had no idea…

I hope you know you were loved and Cherished by many

Take your rest big guy

Your name will live on forever

Maintainer Humor Shawanna Kaye Evans Please reach out for help if the grief gets too heavyBottom of Form

CE M RIP Brother!

Liz G

Lynda B There is a group on Facebook called Battle in Distress. Please if you’re having thoughts of suicide they are there to help. Please support and join that group. They can help.

Danny R

Prayers

Vasilios Dianellos  Sorry to see this.

Tim U Phuq.

Nick Z  Thank you Sgt Beam

Trey H Nick Z here if you need anything brother.

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(Wife) Shanyce Beamesderfer – Maintainer Humor I have so many words to say in the aftermath of this that I truly believe it’s why he left me here.

I know he left me with a task of walking so many people of how we got to this point, but all I can say right now is that he felt this way for a long time. One day it was bad and he called 988, the suicide crisis line.

Had he not picked up that phone, my husband would have been gone. He would’ve never met so many airmen who love him dearly, worked a dream job, retired with P&T, still employable, and selfishly–spent another two years making memories with me and our daughters (one of which is a rainbow baby that would’ve never happened). It hurts because I know now how long the voice followed him. But I do want you or anyone reading this to know–I’m grateful for those two years of added life I got with him. If you EVER are feeling down or not yourself or are just plain STRUGGLIN: call, text, or chat 988. Surviving family of suicide can contact them too and they will walk with you in your struggles. The world is better with you in it.

Maintainer Humor – Shanyce Beamesderfer I never met your husband, but I think I know him now by all the comments from those who did. And it’s obvious that he was a good guy and loved. Everyone in the military hurts when we lose a brother or sister. Our deepest condolences are with you and your children and if you ever have a need, please reach out to us and we will get the team engaged. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Our collective hearts ache for you in this difficult time.  Bottom of Form

(Dad) Brian Beamesderfer -I want to say I am overwhelmed with the replies about Tim, I never knew the impact he had in Air Force. I was proud of my son’s achievements during his time. He was always concerned about his troops. In the end the depression of leaving the Air Force was too much. If anyone needs help, please dial 988. Be honest with yourself.

Tom B – Brian Beamesderfer sir you are correct. Anyone that knew him and worked with him knew how great he was. God bless you and your family

Vince F – Brian Beamesderfer sir, Tim was the best of the folks i ever knew in the USAF. He was an amazing student to teach the B-52 to, learned quickly and was an amazing friend and fellow history buff. Both my wife and I had a great time with beams! He was lots of fun to be around. At the nodak arms he was a great reference source and kept customers and staff entertained with his relevant and irrelevant facts. He was a great man and friend. It hurts my soul he didn’t reach out. God bless you and his family!

Maintainer Humor – Brian Beamesderfer That’s a hallmark of the great ones. They are never in the limelight and always push the attention from themselves and just take care of others.

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Steve Collier

Fuck… 

Carbine C Ferrari

Please, anyone who needs help, contact us at 22 Until None or download our mobile app. We are a 501c3 nonprofit and not affiliated with DoD. You can speak to us and get help CONFIDENTIALLY and at no cost. Please know your life is worth something, that you matter, your pain matters, and you are absolutely irreplaceable. We don’t want to lose more people.

If you have ideations of suicide or just need to talk to someone, please: Dial 988 Option 1, Text 838255, or Chat Online at Veteran’s Crisis Line.

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Dave Chamberlin served 38 years in the USAF and Air National Guard as an aircraft crew chief, where he retired as a CMSgt. He has held a wide variety of technical, instructor, consultant, and leadership positions in his more than 40 years of civilian and military aviation experience. Dave holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant license from the FAA, as well as a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science. He currently runs his own consulting and training company and has written for numerous trade publications.

His true passion is exploring and writing about issues facing the military, and in particular, aircraft maintenance personnel.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.