Robbie Bean, a longtime Denver teacher and civil rights activist, died on New Year’s Day. She was 85.
A 54-year resident of the Park Hill neighborhood, she was known for her commitment to her community.
“She was definitely an educator, a political and civic leader and a religious leader,” said daughter Patricia Kane. “She was in all those arenas. But first and foremost, she was an educator.”
Bean, born Dec. 23, 1929, in Winona, Miss., received her bachelor’s degree and master’s in education from the University of Nebraska before moving to Denver in 1953.
After earning her doctorate in education curriculum from the University of Colorado, she became a teacher at Gilpin Elementary in Denver, where she taught first and second grades.
Bean, who retired in 1992, helped found Celebration of Families-Students Inc., an organization that recognizes families, students, teachers and churches for making a difference in their community. She also was heavily involved with the Greater Park Hill Community, serving as a board member and as president, and was a member of Colorado Black Women for Political Action for more than 50 years.
“She was an organizer — that was her strongest trait,” Kane said. “But she was also always into recognizing and honoring people and their accomplishments. She was a great supporter and encourager of individuals.”
Kane said civil rights were also important in Bean’s life.
As the president of the American Association of University Women, Bean increased membership and promoted diversity.
She also served on and revitalized the Denver chapter of the NAACP, in addition to serving on the Minority Affairs Committee at the CU School of Education.
Bean was the recipient of numerous awards for her dedication to civil rights and education. In 1999, the city of Denver passed a resolution declaring her an outstanding educational and civic leader.
She was also one of six recipients of the 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Awards for Lifetime Achievement.
The following year, she was honored with the Trailblazer Award at the Martin Luther King Jr. Business Social Responsibility luncheon.
Beyond her awards, Bean will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, Kane said.
“She was very supportive, encouraging,” Kane said. “She pushed education and exposed us to a lot of different things — museums and zoos and things like that — both for us and for her granddaughter. And she was always very proud. Anything you did, she wanted to spread the word.”
She is survived by her husband, Howard; Patricia and another daughter, Vivian; and her granddaughter, Amina.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 24 at Park Hill United Methodist Church in Denver.
