Lawrence and the state of Kansas have lost a tremendous individual and great asset with the death of Ross Beach who died Thursday evening.

Beach had been a long-time resident of Hays but became more involved with Lawrence after his purchase in 1964 of Douglas County Bank. He commuted between Lawrence and Hays for a number of years but eventually spent most of his time in Lawrence.

He was a highly successful businessman with various and wide interests in banking, ranching, oil, gas, aviation and communications. He and his wife, Marianna, have been very generous in their fiscal support of a multitude of programs throughout the state and in their gifts to Kansas University and Kansas State University.

He was a good citizen in every respect and Lawrence has benefited in many ways because he and Marianna moved to our community.