The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Deb Olson, The Quill
Meet your neighbor Brad Beard of Roseville, a U.S. veteran who has been using his retirement to gather items for some of the poorest in America through his organization "Cup of Cold Water".
Brad is a lifetime Roseville man, born and raised. His parents were Scott and Lois Beard, now deceased. Scott was a trucker and his mother Lois was well known as the Tupperware lady for 17 years.
Brad's wife is Danielle (Dilkey) whose father was a career Marine from Bloomington, a book in himself, Brad says.
Brad and Danielle have three grown children, Matt, Chris, and Mindy (Beard) Klimkiewic who have brought them 8 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Brad also has two siblings. His brother Linden Beard was a Warren County Deputy for 19 years and then Avon Chief of Police until his retirement. He now chauffeurs for the Amish, as does Brad.
His sister is Cherilyn Thomas who teaches at Monmouth-Roseville Junior-High School, 7th Grade Literature.
Brad's grandparents are the late Walter and Beulah Beard and Raymond and Margaret Kalb.
Brad graduated Roseville High School in 1969 and was in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1970-76 and served on the U.S.S. Edson DD946 and was deployed to Viet Nam in 1973 on the destroyer. (Following an on board fire in 1974, the Edson returned to the West Pacific and was later commended for her roles in the evacuation of Phnom Penh and Saigon.)
He is a member of the Roseville American Legion. He is retired after 42 years of trucking and with a heart for missions, founded "Cup of Cold Water" relief work with the help of his friend and mentor, Don Young who has his own mission "Christians Across America." He's appreciative of how the locals help.
Brad also offers a helping hand whenever the call comes, and his phone rings day and night.
Vacations are acts of service to Indian Reservation at Pine Ridge, S.D. with his wife. His future plans "are to keep going to S.D. Reservations as long Jesus says "Go!"