Donald Charles Beyer, 81

Donald Charles Beyer, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home in the Victorian Village subdivision of Woodstock, Illinois, on April 10, 2025, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on April 29, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, Don’s life was rooted in music, service, and deep compassion for others. When his family relocated to Woodstock during his childhood, it marked the beginning of a lifelong connection to the community he would come to shape through his talents and generosity. Don began playing piano as a young boy, and by the age of 12 he was playing the organ for the Grace Lutheran Church on Washington Street, and by 16 he was teaching piano.

A 1961 graduate of Woodstock High School, Don continued his musical studies at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. There, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music and was selected to perform the finale by playing Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1 in B Minor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, an honor that showcased his prodigious talent. Yet, despite encouragement from professors to pursue a concert career, Don found the most joy playing privately and sharing music through teaching, rather than performance.

Don had planned to seek a doctoral degree and eventually teach music at the college level, but his goals were interrupted by war. In 1966, Don voluntarily joined the U.S. Army as a Commissioned Officer, ultimately achieving the rank of Captain. He was stationed in Munich, Germany, where he met his future wife, Judy Carter, originally from Blackpool, England. They were married in Blackpool on May 18, 1968. Immediately afterwards, Don was deployed to Vietnam where he helped lead the Can Tho Mess Association on the Eakin Compound during the Vietnam War, helping to defend the base during the Tet Offensive. Known for his ability to bring levity and warmth even in wartime, Don helped manage the base’s mess hall and night club – his most cherished story from that time involved commandeering a military jet flight to Australia for the sole purpose of acquiring a case of their local beer for a visiting General.

After returning home, Don and Judy settled in Woodstock and raised their three children – Elena, Melanie, and Michael. Don worked as a delivery driver and salesman for Interstate Bakery and taught piano to more than 500 students over his lifetime. For many years, he played the organ at the Unitarian Universalist Church, where he also served on the Board and helped fundraise for a new organ. 

Don’s career evolved over the decades. After his union job at Interstate Bakery came under threat during the Reagan era, he briefly worked in a factory to make ends meet. He then began working towards his MBA but transitioned into computer programming, working for Brown’s Accounting, Solution Systems, and Re/Max. The family’s home, formerly the Wicker family farmhouse on an oversized lot, is where Don converted an old chicken coop into a playhouse for his children, a barn into a garage and workshop, and planted a large vegetable garden in the sprawling backyard garden—occasionally guarded from raccoons with his childhood friend, a .22 rifle, and a six-pack of Old Style.

Don was beloved for his wit, warmth, and generosity. He was a lifelong Cubs fan, an avid reader of science and history, and always willing to lend a hand, whether it was helping with a pig hoist on a farm or driving a friend’s sister to her wedding in Texas. His legacy lives on in the countless students he mentored and inspired to find joy in music. As one parent said, “He’s like a family member, not just a piano instructor … his dedication and joy shine through every lesson.”

Even into retirement, Don traveled weekly across McHenry County and beyond – sometimes virtually – to continue sharing his gift of music with students. His philosophy was simple: music should be joyful, personal, and accessible. “Music has always been there for me,” he once said. And indeed, music and teaching remained central to his life until the very end.

Don was preceded in death by his two siblings, Ken who owned Beyer’s News Depot on the Square, and Diane. Don is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy; his children Elena Savage (Redmond, Washington), Melanie McQueen (Woodstock), and Michael Beyer and his wife, Mary Beyer (Oak Park); his grandchildren McKenna and Alex Shanholtz, Colin McQueen, Liam and Autumn Savage, and Charlie and Cecilia Beyer; and a wide circle of former students, friends, and neighbors who considered him family. His daughter Melanie, a nurse, lovingly cared for him at home during his final weeks. 

Don left the world quieter – but only for a moment – before the echoes of his music will fill it once again.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 17th, at 2 p.m. at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 W. Bull Valley Road., McHenry, IL 60050. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation.