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Cameron Beach, 62, a longtime employee of the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) who became a member of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors in 2007, died March 18.
 Beach’s 44-year career in public transportation included 25 years with RT, where he served first as a consultant; he was named chief operating officer in 1991. A San Francisco native, he retired from RT in 2006 and became principal of Beach Consulting.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a close friend and colleague who had an unparalleled passion for Muni, our customers, and the future of this system,” said SFMTA Board Chairman Tom Nolan. “Director Beach has been a pillar of transit expertise and insight on our board and it has been a privilege to know and work with him over these years.”
“I’ve known Director Beach for decades, and his strong passion for public transit has made significant improvements to the industry,” said Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., SFMTA executive director/chief executive officer. “His transit expertise will not only be missed here in San Francisco but across this nation. Our heartfelt condolences are with his family during this time.”
“Cam dedicated his life to public transit,” said Colleen Elder, materials management superintendent for RT. “Not only was Cam a close colleague, many of us called him ‘friend.’ He will be missed by all.”
“We at APTA join our colleagues to mourn the loss of Cam Beach,” said APTA President William Millar. “Among many accomplishments, Cam’s the guy who brought light rail to Sacramento and shared his knowledge freely throughout the industry. Cam was more than a highly respected industry leader—his willingness to share his keen insights and knowledge and love of transit was unparalleled. Words cannot express the void we in the industry feel from his passing.”
For APTA, Beach served on the Business Member International Business Development Subcommittee, Clean Propulsion and Support Technology Committee, Committee on Public Safety, Commuter Rail Committee, Light Rail Transit Technical Forum, Rail Conference Planning Subcommittee, Rail Standards Policy and Planning Committee, and Streetcar Subcommittee. He also was chair of California Operation Lifesaver.
His survivors include his wife Carmen Clark, also an APTA member. They met when both served on the board of the Market Street Railway, Muni’s nonprofit partner.
The family asks that donations be made to Bay Area Electric Railroad Association (Western Railway Museum), Market Street Railway, or Pacific Bus Museum. |
