Hiland baseball honors Dean and Stevie Beachy with bench dedication

Hiland baseball honors Dean and Stevie Beachy with bench dedication
Dave Mast

The Hiland baseball team recently dedicated two benches to Dean and Stevie Beachy. Stevie, a 2018 graduate and baseball teammate of many of the Hawks, and Dean were slain by a gunman in a shooting in Pennsylvania in January. Wife and mother Linda Beachy gets a hug from Hiland coach Chris Dages during the ceremony at Lehman Field, where the benches will reside.

                        

Remembering and honoring those who have passed away is a time-honored tradition that is meant to keep alive the spirit and joy of loved ones.

In January 2019 the lives of father Dean Beachy and his son Stevie were senselessly taken in a shooting in Pennsylvania.

During the funeral and visiting hours, mourners and supporters of the Beachy family showed up en mass to provide their love and support of the two men who were ardent horse lovers. Dean, a longtime auctioneer in the community, and Stevie were attending a horse show in Pennsylvania when tragedy struck.

Stevie Beachy, who graduated from Hiland High School in 2018, was a devoted baseball player who was part of Hiland’s state championship and state runner-up teams in 2016 and 2017, and the baseball community wanted to do something in their memory to help honor and remember the two men.

On Tuesday, May 7 former Hiland baseball players and friends of the family united at Lehman Field, where during a short ceremony the team presented two benches in honor of the two men. In addition the Hawks have the initials SB on their hats this season to honor their former teammate and friend.

Hiland head coach Chris Dages presented the benches to wife and mother Linda Beachy. On a night of celebration of all seven of the senior Hiland players, there was a time of tears on the field as each family hugged Linda Beachy. Following the ceremony, many other well-wishers came by to share with her.

“We honor both Dean and Stevie’s memories with the dedication of these two benches,” Scott Lowe said over the loudspeaker as part of the ceremony. “Stevie and Dean spent many hours playing and watching baseball here, but their memory, their friendship, and passion and generosity go far beyond this field. These two benches will sit at Lehman Field as a reminder, not of who we lost, but of who we knew and who we loved. Those that knew Dean and Stevie will carry their spirit and their memory with them forever.”

The benches can’t replace the Beachy men, but they can serve as a reminder of the impact they had on all those they met and served over the years.

“Words can’t express how much this means to me and the family,” Linda Beachy said. “We are so grateful for the support we have received.”


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