Jim Beer
Jan. 7, 1935-May 19, 2025
Menlo Park, California

Jim Beer, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and respected local business owner, passed away peacefully at his home in Menlo Park on May 19, 2025, at the age of 90. A native of Centerville, Iowa, Jim was born on January 7, 1935. He married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Rodgers, in 1955. They shared over 60 loving years together before her passing in 2016. Together, they raised two children, John Beer and Rebecca Pippin. After attending Iowa State University, Jim pursued a career as a civil engineer. He would become a Senior Vice President at Hensel Phelps Construction Co., where he oversaw large-scale infrastructure construction nationwide, specializing in bridges and rapid transit systems. Some of his notable work included the Archie Stevenot Bridge and projects for the Baltimore Metro SubwayLink, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, and Bay Area Rapid Transit. In 1972 Jim settled permanently in Menlo Park, where he would live for the rest of his life. Jim retired from the construction industry in 1980 and turned his lifelong passion for numismatics into a second career. He opened The Coin Broker in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village—a business he would operate for the next 35 years alongside his daughter, Rebecca. Jim was a familiar face to collectors throughout the region. An avid outdoorsman, Jim cherished time spent hunting and fishing, and was a longtime supporter of Bay Area Ducks Unlimited chapters. He was a dedicated fan of San Francisco Giants baseball and Stanford women’s basketball, often seen cheering from the stands. Jim also had a deep love of travel and treasured time at his second home in Maui. In 2020, Jim found love again and married Cynthia Mendoza, who survives him. He is also survived by his daughter Rebecca Pippin, grandson Jesse Clay, great-granddaughters Althea and Maize Halverson, and his sister Judy Kauzlarich. The family would also like to thank Jim’s brother-in-law Bobby, and his caregivers Sandra and Lorna, for their support. Jim will be remembered for his warmth and wit. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on June 28, 2025, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Menlo Park, where Jim was a longtime member.