Henry C. Beerits, 97, of Sheepscot, died on July 25 at Cove’s Edge Nursing Facility, Miles Memorial Hospital, Damariscotta.
Henry was born on Jan. 12, 1912 in Somerset, Penn., the son of John H. and Florence (Knepper) Beerits. He was educated in the Somerset Public Schools, then Mercersburg (PA) Academy. After graduating from Princeton University in 1933, Henry worked for a year in Washington, D.C. as research assistant to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, documenting his life history for future biographers.
Henry entered Harvard Law School in 1934, transferred to the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration in 1935 and then returned to Harvard Law where he received his LL. B. in 1938. During his active legal and civic career over the next 40 years, Henry resided in the Philadelphia area. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1939 and worked for several Philadelphia law firms thereafter.
In August 1943 Henry married Janet Robinson. They lived in Pennsylvania (Chester Springs, and Radnor) for the next 35 years where they raised their three children, with Henry commuting to work in Philadelphia.
Henry enjoyed hiking, fishing, camping and the outdoors. Family vacations were often at camps and cottages in New Hampshire, New York, Maine and Canada. Later, as a retiree on Deer Isle, Henry enjoyed boating in and around Pickering Cove and making trails through the woods.
Wanting to do work of social significance, Henry left the practice of law in 1945 to serve on the staff of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). He also served on a part-time basis as Acting Executive Director of the Bureau of Municipal Research in 1948-50.
Henry became active in the religious Society of Friends. He attended his first Quaker Meeting while working with the AFSC and became a member of the Radnor Friends Meeting in 1951. Over the years he was very active in that meeting and in other Quaker organizations. He was active in the AFSC for 30 years, serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees and on many committees. He was on the boards of Friends Journal and Haverford College. In 1999 he transferred his membership from Radnor to Midcoast (Maine) Friends Meeting.
In 1954, Henry returned to the practice of law at Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius, (which was the largest law firm in Philadelphia), soon becoming a member of the firm. He continued there for the rest of his legal career. While he practiced law, Henry remained active in many civic organizations during a time of civic and political reform in Philadelphia.
In 1972, Henry retired at age 60.
The same year he retired, Henry and Janet bought their Deer Isle summer home overlooking Pickering Cove. For several years they spent summers on Deer Isle and winters in Radnor. During this time Henry did research and writing in the field of American history and biography. He worked on a part-time basis with the Quaker United Nations Program. He served as chairman of a conference of diplomats and scholars held in France in 1974 to consider how to save the Mediterranean Sea from biological extinction. He wrote a book entitled “The United Nations and Human Survival,” which was published by AFSC, sold at the UN, and used in courses at Kent State University and Dartmouth College.
In 1978 Henry and Janet moved from Pennsylvania to Sheepscot, continuing to spend their summers on Deer Isle. Henry’s civic interests found new focus after his move to Sheepscot. He served as Chairman of the Lincoln County Chapter of the American Red Cross for several years. He was active with Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta as a member of the Board of Trustees for nine years, including a term as President. Henry successfully chaired a campaign to increase the endowment of the Miles Development Foundation by $1.5 million.
In retirement, Henry began to paint prolifically as a self-taught artist. His landscape paintings have been exhibited in 18 galleries in Maine and works sold to the collection of the University of Southern Maine and to private collections in eleven states. He was an active member of the Deer Isle Artists Association, including a term as its President.
Henry was widely traveled and enjoyed planning trips and going to new places. His travels included all 50 states, Japan, China and numerous trips to Europe.
Due to physical infirmities, from 2007 until his death, Henry resided at the Cove’s Edge Nursing Facility at Miles. His relationship with Janet continued through daily visits. Last August, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary there. He was often visited by his children and grandchildren. Henry enjoyed the seasonal changes and wildlife outside his window as he read or monitored the activities of his growing extended family.
Henry Beerits was predeceased by his sister, Mary Reynolds.
He is survived by his wife Janet of Sheepscot and Deer Isle; three children, Christopher Beerits and wife Ellen of Alna, Susan Murphy and husband Michael of Fairfield, Ia., and Peter Beerits and wife Anne of Deer Isle; five grandchildren, Jon Metcalf and wife Anya of Nassau, Bahamas, Matthew Beerits of Damariscotta, Laura Beerits of Austin, Tex., Mary Murphy of Berkeley, Cal., and Rory Beerits of Charlestown, Mass.; great-grandchild, Adam Metcalf of Nassau, Bahamas; three nephews, David Ross, Michael Reynolds and Stephen Reynolds; and cousin, Molly (Baush) Hill.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Sat., Sept. 19 at the Midcoast Friends Meeting, 77 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta.
Memorial donations in Henry’s name may be made to the Cove’s Care Fund, c/o Miles Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543. This fund provides scholarships for caregivers at the Cove’s Edge Long Term Care Facility to further their education and training in health care.
Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.