Rutledge Mayo Beacham, 64: Vice president with the Carter real estate firm

There's a reason Rutledge Beacham spent nearly four decades with Carter, a commercial real estate firm.

Employer and employee shared similar values, said Holly H. Hughes, executive vice president for the Atlanta company's property and facility management group.

Trustworthiness. Sincerity. Ethics.

"Rutledge was a man of his word," she said. "He would always do the right thing, even if it was the harder thing to do, and even if it didn't help him as much as an alternative would. He was so loyal to Carter, and so committed to Carter. The real connection was that Carter's values and Rutledge's values were one of the same."

At Carter, Mr. Beacham worked as a vice president in the property and facility management group. He donned several hats. He was a liaison to many clients, including J.P. Morgan and Georgia Power. Moreover, he was responsible for the firm's "on-site teams" that handle day-to-day operations.

"What was unusual was that he would really stop and take the time and focus on other people," Mrs. Hughes said. "He related to people at all levels, and interacted with, encouraged and motivated each to be the best."

On Tuesday, Rutledge Mayo Beacham of Atlanta died at Emory University Hospital from complications of a surgery. He was 64. A memorial will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Dunwoody Community Church. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill.

Mr. Beacham was an Atlanta native, born at Emory University Hospital. He graduated from Willingham High in Macon and earned a 1968 bachelor's degree in accounting from Georgia State University. Five years later, he married Eda Hanes, his wife of 36 years.

"It was a really sweet relationship even before we got married," she said. "Every woman should have a husband like him."

Initially, the Eagle Scout and avid traveler went into the accounting business, but in 1971 turned to commercial real estate. Six years later, he joined Carter, a career in which some say he became the face of the company. Among other duties, he oversaw 2.7 million square feet of office, industrial and retail properties, according to his resume.

Beacham belonged to the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). He served as the 1998 president of BOMA Atlanta, and as a southern region president in 2005 and 2006. He received the association's 2003 Huey Award for career service.

Henry Chamberlain, president and chief executive officer of Washington-based BOMA International last saw Mr. Beacham at a conference in March.