Sanford “Sandy” Beecher, a prominent attorney in Milford, was remembered by friends and family at a visitation at the Stroyan Funeral Home in Milford on April 30. Hundreds gathered at his memorial service on May 1. He passed away on April 23 after a battle with congestive heart failure at age 79.

After graduating from Amherst College, Beecher served in the U.S. Army’s European Occupation of Germany. When he returned home, he went to the University of Pennsylvania Law School and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1961. In 1964, he became a partner in the law firm of Finan and Beecher. He practiced law for over 50 years at Beecher, Wagner, Rose and Klemeyer and served of counsel with Klemeyer, Farley and Bernathy from 2007.

An avid bluegrass banjo player and fly fisherman and hunter, Beecher was honored by the Pike County Bar Association for his 50th anniversary of practicing law. At the April 2011 dinner, bar president Elizabeth Erickson Kameen presented numerous awards and citations from politicians including Representatives Michael Peifer and Rosemary Brown of the PA House of Representatives, Senator Lisa Baker from the State Senate and Congressman Thomas Marino from the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kameen said that Beecher “has always been willing to help out with advice to any young lawyer who had the courage to ask. His kindness to others and willingness to always be there to pave the way for younger lawyers is the finest example anyone can set.”

She added that in 50 years, “You have seen the invention of the internet, the takeoff of social media from Facebook to Twitter, yet in spite of the change around you, you remain steadfast and grounded in your original principles, which have acted like a guiding light to all those who have come after you.”

In addition to his longtime career accomplishments, Beecher was active in many community groups, including Milford Lion’s Club.