Beam was born October 3, 1938, in Bradgate, IA. He attended and graduated from Twin Rivers High School in Bode in 1957. Phil then served 3 years with the U.S. Marine Corps. On November 24, 1960, he was united in marriage to Beverly Lentz and the couple made their home in Fort Dodge. For 37 years, he worked a print shop supervisor for Land O'Lakes retiring in 2000. He then worked for "Cimarron Coaches" which involved the transportation of rail road workers for several years. Phil loved his family but also enjoyed bird watching and especially bowling. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.