Dwight Beattie

Dwight Morris Beattie died on May 3, 2023, at the age of 87 in Sacramento, California after a long illness. He was surrounded by family at home at the time of his death.

Dwight was born in Oakland, California to Ronald and Inez Beattie and spent his childhood between Sacramento, California and Arlington, Virginia. He was the middle of three brothers, between older brother Alan and younger brother Bob.  He graduated from El Camino High, School in Sacramento, Westminster College in Utah, and Union Theological Seminary in New York City.  He volunteered work at the Church of Saviour  and in the 1960’s worked with Reverend Chris Hartmire Jr. working in the Central Valley to help migrant families.

He married Merrill Partlow in 1959 and moved to West Virginia soon after. He worked as the minister of 2 small churches. His years in Appalachia were rich in relationships and experiences and he told stories of that time for the rest of his life.  His lifelong commitment to social justice was cemented in this time. His two children, Maija and Ron were born there.

In 1967, the family moved to Carmichael, California where Dwight became one of the ministers at Carmichael Presbyterian Church. He served there until 1974 when he left to get a teaching credentials but thereafter landed in a job working for the Sacramento County Department of Voter Registration and Elections, ultimately as Assistant Registrar of Voters.  In 1991, he moved to Santa Clara County to become the Registrar of Voters. He returned to Sacramento County in 1998 to the position of Assistant Registrar of Voters, retiring in 2001, and continued be an Elections consultant to many counties that needed his expertise throughout California until 2007. Dwight had a deep commitment to giving everyone the right to vote.  In Santa Clara County, he worked to expand access to voting materials in multiple languages. He was known to give 18 year-olds a voter registration application for their birthday.

In 1998, Dwight married Barbara Jeanne Lee.  He had known Barbara since 1981 both having a deep commitment to voter’s rights and their passion to provide a free and fair election.  
They enjoyed 24 happy years together before his passing.  Dwight and Barbara became active members of Faith Presbyterian Church in Sacramento.

Dwight was known for his faith, his love of family, his dry sense of humor, his wit, his storytelling, his intelligence, his singing voice, his kindness, and his commitment to his values. He loved reading, the mountains, gardening, and researching family history.

Dwight is survived by his wife, Barbara, children Maija Beattie (Hally Cahssai) and Ron Madhu Beattie (Sutra), son-in-law Jim Keddy (Gina Martinez-Keddy), grandchildren Luke Keddy, Clare Keddy (Haley Stokas), and Ava Beattie, his brother Robert Thomas Beattie (Susan), sisters-in-law  Barbara Beattie, Nancy Lee and Pat Wong (Nelson) and nephews, Michael Beattie, Koa Wong (Mel), Nieces Marsha James (Rich),  Gwen Beattie(Larry Halvorsen)  as well as many family and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Inez Beattie, and by his brother Alan Beattie.

Services will be held on September 16, 2023 at 11:00 am at Faith Presbyterian Church, 625 Florin Road, Sacramento. Reception to follow.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the following organizations that were close to Dwight’s heart.

KVIE
Families Now
American Red Cross
SSIP
Berrea College
Habitat for Humanities