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" RICHARD GRAY (Pete) BEATTIE, of Fredericksburg, passed away July 13, 2024 after a courageous battle with Corticobasal Syndrome.

Pete was born in Richmond, Virginia to Claibourne Walton Beattie, Jr. and Kathryn Chapman Beattie on June 20, 1951. After living throughout Virginia, his family returned to Richmond for his middle and high school years. Pete graduated from Douglas Southall Freeman High School, in Richmond, VA, and attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy. During his four years of service in the United States Coast Guard, he met his wife, Margaret Jenkins while stationed in Mobile, AL. They married in 1975. Upon completing his military service, Pete pursued a degree in Agricultural Economics from Virginia Tech, graduating in 1977.

Pete and Margaret moved to Fredericksburg, VA in 1978, and raised their three children here. He served in many roles at the Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg, including ordained elder, youth leader, and participant in many mission trips. Pete maintained a connection to his mother’s side of the family in southeastern Virginia, and taught his children to appreciate the region on their sailing trips out of Mobjack Bay, and by volunteering to roast or shuck oysters for all major holidays. He enjoyed sailing, golfing, traveling and supporting his children in sports, dance, and scouts. A cherished memory is his role for several years in The Nutcracker as Drosselmeyer, sharing the stage with his daughter. Pete will be remembered for his commitment to family, sense of humor, strong faith, curiosity, confidence in navigating new countries, volunteerism, love of Virginia history and Virginia Tech sports. He retired after a career in sales and management.

Pete is survived by his wife of 49 years, Margaret; children Meredith Gray Beattie (Christopher Jordan Johansen) of Bangkok, TH, Emily Kathryn Beattie (Eric Louis Gunther)of Somerville, MA, son Claibourne David Beattie of Banner Elk, NC; and grandchildren Willa Nash Beattie, Jameson Archer Beattie, Julian Wylde Gunther, Ambra Beattie Gunther and Leif Edwin Johansen.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 20, 2024 at 11 am at The Presbyterian Church Fredericksburg with a reception immediately following the service. Inurnment will be in his beloved Chilhowie, Va. at a later date.

Pete was predeceased by his father, Claibourne Walton Beattie, Jr., his mother Kathryn Chapman Beattie, and younger brother Frederick Spencer Beattie.

The family thanks the neurology departments of both Johns Hopkins Hospital and Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital for their compassionate guidance. Special thanks to Mary Washington Hospice.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg (VA) or the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at https://vacremationservice.com/obituaries "