The Chilliwack Chiefs lost an integral part of their organization when cherished educational advisor and billet Ross ‘Rosco’ Beebe died on Sunday (March 17).
It seemed like Rosco had a connection with everyone who walked through the Chilliwack Coliseum doors, and his genuine good-willed nature was present since he became involved with the Chiefs in 1997.
Rosco and his wife Valerie welcomed Brian Maloney into their home when he was a player. Maloney is now the head coach of the team.
“This is a really tough one for me. Rosco was a huge part of my life,” Maloney said. “When I moved to Chilliwack my dad reached out to Rosco because they had been buddies in the Navy together. Right away they took me in and made me feel like I was part of their family.”
Before getting involved with the Chiefs, Rosco served 28 years in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Armed Forces. He served 10 years at sea, five on a submarine and in the northern parts of Canada at the Canadian Forces Station Alert. He also spent time with NATO forces in Germany. He retired in 1996 out of the Chilliwack base.
Newly retired and intrigued about the education path for athletes, Rosco quickly became an educational advisor in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
Greg Keith, a former player who lived with the Beebe family and is now a member of the Chiefs ownership group, echoed the difference he made in the lives of countless players pursuing academic and hockey achievement in the NCAA.
“He was an industry pioneer in developing the Chiefs and BCHL educational programs that saw so many of our players continue their educations while at the same time seeking success on the ice. His impact can be seen throughout colleges and university rosters in Canada and the United States,” Keith said.“He loved what he did and always followed Chiefs alumni as they chased both their academic and athletic dreams after leaving our organization. His impact will be felt for a long time to come.”
That impact is evident by the many framed jerseys in the media room at the Coliseum. Former players have signed their NCAA program jerseys as a thank you to Rosco.
The door was always open at the Beebe home. It was often a place where players went to play pool, watch TV or play video games. It was their ‘home away from home’ in a league where many players are away from their parents at a young age.
While the Chiefs were closest to his heart, his reach went far beyond Chilliwack.
“Rosco helped so many players throughout our league and across junior hockey in general. His number one priority was always helping young athletes,” vice-president and team governor Barry Douglas said. “Personally I have known Rosco for over 25 years, and I am honoured to call him a friend. He was always supportive of my family, and was always so kind and so positive.”
When he was not at the rink he could be found operating his own custom golf club company, Chimo Golf, which was named after a military engineer salutation. He loved spending time with his wife Val and their dog Brassey.
Rosco was not only a steady figure in the Chiefs organization, but he was a familiar face in the Chilliwack community.
The Chiefs will celebrate Rosco during their playoff game on April 6.
READ MORE: Chilliwack Chiefs clinch home ice for first round of BCHL playoffs
