Membership Form
In Remembrance of Beth and Rick…
It is with great sadness that the Haywood County Beekeeper’s Association remembers two of our former officers and ardent beekeeping friends. In the early morning hours of August 14, 2026, Beth and Rick, became victims of a tragic house fire.
In remembrance, we honor these two dedicated beekeepers who were involved with countless HCBA and statewide bee events. Beth and Rick attended these events to learn more about beekeeping. In the process, they conducted many presentations to help educate others about beekeeping. Their passion for honey bees reached far beyond Haywood County, but it was the kids from all the various elementary schools in the county they seemed to enjoy teaching the most!
Click on the following link to read more about Beth’s life, and pay a tribute to her memory
Click on the following link to read more about Rick’s life, and pay a tribute to his memory.
Memorials in honor of Beth and Rick may be sent to the Haywood County Beekeepers Association. Please memo your gracious donation in honor of Beth and Rick. The club’s address is:
Haywood County Beekeepers Association
PO Box 1391
Clyde, NC 28721
With fondness, I remember how Rick and Beth came over to the house to pick up some firewood back in 2020. A 110 foot locust tree had fallen down in the driveway one summer and I cut it up into wood stove size pieces. I no longer burned wood because the chimney was no longer safe anymore for burning. Hence, I mentioned to Rick that I had some stove wood if he wanted to stop by the house and collect it.
Two days later, Rick and Beth were at the house and we loaded the wood on his truck. It took three trips in order for Rick to get all of the wood to his house. When we finished that task, Rick asked, “What do I owe you Zach?” Naturally, I responded, “Nothing Rick, you needed the wood and I needed to get rid of it. Besides, friends never charge friends for help. That day, we both helped each other. I will miss each of you!
Respectfully,
David “Zach” Zachary
HCBA Webmaster
Rick Queen selling honey at the Waynesville, NC Farmer's Market.
Beth teaching students about honey bees and pollination.
Beth and Rick talking about honey bees the Haywood County Fair.