1964
The Ross and Marianna Beach Foundation
In 1964, Ross and Marianna Beach invested in the Lawrence community with the purchase of Douglas County Bank. The Beaches recognized the many qualities of Lawrence – the University of Kansas, the heritage of the community, and the outlook for future growth. Characteristic of their involvement throughout Kansas, the Beach family made a long-term commitment to the quality of life in Lawrence and Douglas County. They established a home and eventually moved to Lawrence as their permanent residence.
Douglas County Bank, originally chartered in 1951 and opened in May of 1952, grew and prospered with the community. From the original bank building on the southeast corner of Massachusetts and Ninth Street, the bank moved its headquarters bank to Kentucky and Ninth streets and, over the years, added six more branch locations in Douglas County. Each building has a distinctive style and the name Douglas County Bank literally “carved in stone”, indicative of the Beaches’ permanent commitment to serve the community.
Ross and Marianna Beach are leading citizens of Kansas. Along with developing successful businesses in natural gas, media, and aviation, the Beaches have supported and endowed numerous benevolent and community organizations throughout the state. The Fort Hays State University, the Sternberg Natural History Museum in Hays, the Beach Art Museum at Kansas State University, the Beach Center for Disability at the University of Kansas, the Lied Center for the performing arts at KU, and Lawrence Memorial Hospital have all benefited from their generosity.
The Beaches have both been honored by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas. Marianna Beach was named “Kansan of the Year” in 1988. Ross Beach was named “Kansan of the Year” in 2001. Each has individually received the Distinguished Service Citation Award from the University of Kansas Alumni Association, Ross Beach in 1977 and Marianna Beach in 1990, and both have been honored by other higher education institutions in Kansas.
The Beach family investment in Douglas County Bank continues by three daughters and their families, and the parent company, Kansas Natural Gas.
Step Sponsored By: The Ross and Marianna Beach Foundation