He was born July 11, 1930 in Buffalo, NY, a son of the late Dewey and Celia Schwitzer Beyer.
Mr. Beyer will be remembered by many names throughout is life; Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Friend, Coach, Dr. X and The Destroyer. All of these would be cultivated over a span of 70 years and his legacy will carry on.
Dick was a graduate of Syracuse University where he earned his degrees in Physical Education and Administration. While he attended, he would excel in football and wrestling, earning several awards and honors. Later in his life, he would receive the Syracuse University Letter Winner of Distinction Award in 1987.He was an Army Veteran, having served with the U.S. Army Reserves from 1950-1958. It was during this time that he would begin the formation of his professional wrestling career. In 1955, he was recognized as Professional Wrestling Rookie of the Year by Wrestling Life Magazine, and his travels and matches would take him to Japan where he became an icon and hero to so many in the Japanese culture. In 2012, he was presented the Japan Consul Generals Commendation for a “Lifetime of promoting goodwill between Japan and the United States” and in 2017, awarded the Order of The Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, which is Japan’s highest civilian honor.
A Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Inductee for his professional wrestling career from 1954 to 1993, retiring at the age of 63 and known by names such as Dick Beyer, The Destroyer and Doctor X. Later inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003 as the “Greatest Masked Wrestler”. He would go on to coach wrestling and football at Amherst High School from 1979-1981 and football and swimming at Akron High School from 1981 to 2010. He organized, facilitated and fundraised for Akron High School swimmers to travel to Japan to swim and for cross cultural exchange in 1994 and 2008.
Giving and fundraising for charity was a big part of who Mr. Beyer was. He played Santa Claus at area hospitals, orphanages, retirement homes, masonic lodges and homes for mentally disabled children. He was an advisor and coach for various, Boy Scouts and little league groups, local chairman of the Buffalo News “Kids Day” paper benefit for Children’s Hospital, guest speaker for local charitable functions for Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs. He was also instrumental in fundraising for two of Japans largest disasters; a major earthquake in Kobe in 1995 and Tsunami in Sendai in 2011. Along with many other awards and recognition from other wrestling organizations and groups including but not limited to: American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Masonic Lodge #527, Akron Newstead Rotary, Gulf Coast Wrestler’s Reunion, Common Council of Buffalo and Universal Martial Arts Federation.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma L. Beyer of Akron, NY. Children, Patti Murray (Marc Schrenk) of Williamsville, NY, Kurt Beyer of Buffalo, NY, Mona Kris Beyer Jones (Chris Jones) of Akron, NY and Richard Ward Beyer (Amy) of Jacksonville, FL. Grandchildren, Lisa Bonner, Kelly Friedel, Laurene MacTaggert, Brent Schrenk, Garrett Jones, Grace Beyer, Grant Beyer and Lucy Beyer. Great-grandson, Charlie Bonner. Sister, Shirley Clergy of Oregon.
He was the brother of the late Jean Martinke and Dorothy Stoessel.
Family and friends may gather to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Thursday (March 14th) from 5-8pm and Friday (March 15th) from 3-8pm at One Church, 6 Scotland Rd, Akron, NY 14001, where a Memorial Service will be Saturday at 10:00am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd, Cheektowaga, NY 14227 or the Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund, Attn: Destroyer Donation, 3785 South Park Ave., Blasdell, NY 14219. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 32 JOHN ST., AKRON, NY 14001. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.
