Celebrating the life of Lawrence Max Beyer.

Celebrating the life of Lawrence Max Beyer.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, Lawrence Max Beyer, a distinguished veteran, dedicated public servant, and a Roanoke County civic leader, passed away on January 5, 2026; and
WHEREAS, born on January 10, 1940, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Max Beyer grew up in Sykesville, Maryland, and pursued a life of academic and professional excellence, earning a bachelor's degree from Western Maryland College and a master of business administration degree from Syracuse University; and
WHEREAS, Max Beyer served his country with profound honor for 20 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel; his service included two combat tours in Vietnam (1966–1967 and 1972–1973), an assignment at the Pentagon, and international duty in Italy and Germany; and
WHEREAS, for his bravery and leadership, Max Beyer was awarded the Bronze Star with one Bronze oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Bronze oak leaf cluster, and a Presidential Unit Citation, concluding his military career as a professor of military science at The College of William and Mary; and
WHEREAS, following his retirement from the military, Max Beyer continued to serve the Commonwealth as a certified public accountant for the Virginia Department of Taxation, bringing the same integrity to state government that defined his military service; and
WHEREAS, Max Beyer was a cornerstone of the Roanoke County Republican Party, serving as the Sixth District Republican Committee's Roanoke Valley vice chair and the Hollins Republican magisterial chair; he represented Roanoke County as a delegate to numerous Republican Party of Virginia State Conventions and represented the Commonwealth as delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention; and
WHEREAS, a man of deep faith and community spirit, Max Beyer was an active member of Parkway Church on the Mountain and spent years assisting his beloved wife, Penny, in organizing activities for the seniors of Vinton and managing the Taylor-Whitt family reunions for more than four decades; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Princess “Penny” Dolly Beyer, Max Beyer is survived by his sister, Carolyn; his children, Jeffrey, Karen, and Michael, and their spouses; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter, all of whom he inspired through his wisdom and uplifting encouragement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Lawrence Max Beyer, a man whose unwavering character and legacy of service to his nation and the Roanoke Valley will endure; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Lawrence Max Beyer as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.