David Booth Beers, Esquire, of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, served as Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop from 1991-2019.
Mr. Beers, a life-long Episcopalian, was raised in New Haven, Connecticut and educated at Trinity College and the University of California at Berkeley before entering private law practice in Washington, D.C., in 1961. As of his death, he was Of Counsel of the Goodwin Law Firm in that city. After serving as Chancellor of the Diocese of Washington from 1977 until 1991, he was appointed in that year as Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop by Bishop Edmond L. Browning, and thus served four Presiding Bishops. Prior to that appointment, Mr. Beers was a five-time Deputy to the General Convention and served one term on the Executive Council. He is also a Trustee of the Virginia Theological Seminary, from which he received the Dean’s Cross for Servant Leadership.
“While living and working most of his life in Washington, DC, David always considered himself a son of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut," said the Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Bishop Diocesan. "He loved the state and diocese in which he was raised. He always asked how things were in Connecticut, especially with his former parish of St. Paul’s, New Haven, now St. Paul’s and St. James. I thank God for David’s love of Jesus Christ and dedication to the Church. He was a giant among lay leaders. I will miss his counsel, his faithfulness, and his wonderful sense of humor.”
"With David’s death, I have lost a dear friend. One of the many highlights of attending meetings of The Episcopal Church leadership was seeing David, often sitting with him in meetings or at meals," said the Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan. "David’s deep love for the Church was revealed in the thoughtful ways he, with a twinkle in his eye, would share his incredible knowledge of the Episcopal Church. His collaborative partnership with his colleague, Mary Kostel, who would replace him as Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, was a model of the best of what team ministry can be. The Episcopal Church has lost a giant. May David’s soul and the souls of all the departed, rest in peace."
"David’s knowledge of our Canons and the history of our Church was encyclopedic. He enjoyed few things more than employing that expertise to help solve a thorny challenge," said Brad Babbitt, Chancellor of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. "He married that knowledge with a genuine concern for others, perhaps most particularly for chancellors less experienced than he – which we all were. I will miss his counsel, his good humor, and his kindness, as will all of my fellow chancellors."
Beers was married to Margaret Graham Beers, whom he met in 1951 when he was just 15. Together they raised five children: David III, Paul, Anthony, James and Alexandra. In addition to his wife and children, Beers is survived by his sister, Mary Jane Cooper and brother-in-law, retired Maj. Gen. William E. Cooper; a son-in-law, David Shenk; two daughters-in-law, Carol Beers and Marian Beers; his grandchildren, Parker, Daphne, Charlotte, David IV, Natalie, Jackson, Samuel, Lucy and Henry; and a great-grandson, Charlie.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 9, at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Parkway, Washington, D.C.
Donations in memory of David Booth Beers may be made to Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, bishopwalkerschool.org.
