Paul Latimer Beale, Jr

BEALE—Paul Latimer Beale, Jr., 84, of Emmitsburg, MD passed away February 13th, 2026.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 1st, 1941, Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Mae (Schwerer), his parents, Paul Latimer Beale, Sr. and Lucille Juliet (Kates), and his brother, Joseph Kingston Beale II.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Wheeler, son-in-law, John Wheeler, grandchildren, Peyton Wheeler and Gannon Wheeler, as well as his brothers, Robert Beale, Allan Beale, and Horace Beale.

Paul grew up in Emmitsburg, MD, where his parents purchased a 126-acre farm when he was 9-years-old. The oldest of five brothers, he would care for the cows and work the fields with them every day before and after going to school. He graduated from Thurmont High School in 1959. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Florida in 1964. Paul worked for IBM until 1978, where he met Linda. He then owned his own computer businesses, including ComputerLand and Cambist. He also worked for John Hopkins, developing programming for naval vessels and spent time on aircraft carriers and submarines installing those programs.

Paul and Linda raised their only daughter, Jennifer, in Gaithersburg, MD, where he lived for 25 years. However, Paul moved to Gettysburg, PA to be close to his parents in their later years. After their deaths, Paul moved back into the farmhouse in Emmitsburg, where he lived for the past 20+ years. He spent his retirement years making improvements to the farmhouse and the old dairy barn. He enjoyed buying tractors and other equipment at auction, restoring them and then selling them for profit. He also grew, harvested and sold hay. As a licensed pilot, he was an active member of the Gettysburg chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and spent time meticulously building his own RV-8 plane. His passion for computers continued as well. He loved investigating new technologies, including Virtual Reality Systems and Artificial Intelligence. He never tired of his flight simulator, where he could fly to and land in any city in the world.

Anyone that knew Paul would tell you that he was always learning and trying new things. Whether it was starting a new computer business or finding a new hobby, he was never complacent. In the early 1980s, he learned to sail, bought a 41-ft sailboat, named it after his wife and sailed it from Maryland to the Virgin Islands with some friends. He kept the boat in St. Thomas for many years, renting it and using it for family vacations. Several years later he acquired his pilot’s license and a bought a Sundowner plane that he would fly around the U.S. to visit friends and family. Although he stopped travelling in his later years, Paul never stopped tinkering and learning.

In honor of his memory, please consider donating to EAA Aviation Foundation, or Whips Cove Church, where his ashes will be interred beside his parents. You could also remember Paul by doing something a little bit crazy and finding a new passion in the process.