Ronald D. Beachley has announced his plans to retire as district executive of the Western Pennsylvania District effective Dec. 31, 2016. He began his ministry as district executive on Sept. 15, 1985.
Beachley was licensed to the ministry on Dec. 26, 1965, and ordained on June 25, 1972, at Beachdale Church of the Brethren. He is a graduate of McPherson (Kan.) College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1969, and is a graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary, where he received a master of divinity degree in 1972 and a doctor of ministry degree in 1988. He also completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education in 1971.
Over the course of his career he served pastorates in Western Plains District, Middle Pennsylvania District, Virlina District, and Northern Ohio District. He served as moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in 2006, and currently is chair of the Council of District Executives.
He is married to Linda Brougher Beachley, who will continue to serve as pastor of Nanty Glo Church of the Brethren. Retirement plans include spending time with grandchildren and travel to visit family and friends.