Kris Beam's memory board

After an eight-year battle with chronic pain, Kristine Starr Beam chose to pass on from her body. On July 6, 2020 she walked peacefully into the waters of the Willamette River, along which she spent so much of her life. Kris was born in Portland, Oregon on July 24,1957 to Sharon and Jim Yoes. She was the middle of three kids, between her older brother Pat and younger brother Dan. Kris loved water. While growing up in southwest Portland she swam laps in the family pool for fun, exercise, and to de-stress. She and her family also skied on the frozen, crystalline waters of Mt Hood. She graduated from Sunset High School in 1975 and after a year at Portland Community College transferred to the University of Oregon. At the age of 19, she and future-husband Rick met while waterskiing on the Willamette River. Their relationship grew during college with happy memories inner tubing on the Willamette and trips to the coast, especially to Heceta Head. After graduating with a degree in education, Kris and Rick lived together in Portland until he completed medical school. They were married in 1984. Then they were off to Wisconsin for three years for residency, where Kris taught first at a school in Milwaukee and later at a rural parochial school. During their time in the Midwest, they were lucky to experience the region’s many rivers and lakes. Missing the Northwest, they returned to Portland and settled in West Linn. Kris’ water broke twice, heralding the arrival of Michelle in 1987 and Ryan in 1991. During her early years as a mother, she took up windsurfing, most often in the Columbia River Gorge, which holds an especially special place in the hearts of Kris and her family. During this time there were also many joyous trips to the family beach house in Rockaway. Through the years there was plenty of camping, rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and stand-up paddle boarding. And, of course, Kris also loved hot bubble baths, showers, and hot tubs. In addition to water, K