C. Arlen Beam

Arlen Beam
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
In office February 1, 2001 – October 31, 2025
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
In office November 9, 1987 – February 1, 2001
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Donald Roe Ross
Succeeded by	William J. Riley
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska
In office 1986–1987
Preceded by	Warren Keith Urbom
Succeeded by	Lyle Elmer Strom
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska
In office November 18, 1981 – November 9, 1987
Appointed by	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Robert V. Denney
Succeeded by	William G. Cambridge
Personal details
Born	Clarence Arlen Beam (1930-01-14)January 14, 1930 Stapleton, Nebraska, U.S.
Died	October 31, 2025(2025-10-31) (aged 95) Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Education	University of Nebraska (BS, JD)

Clarence Arlen Beam (January 14, 1930 – October 31, 2025) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit from 1987 to 2025 and a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska from 1981 to 1987.

Education and career

Beam was born in Stapleton, Nebraska. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska in 1951, and was a captain in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He received a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1965, and was thereafter in private practice in Lincoln, Nebraska until 1982.

Federal judicial service

On October 14, 1981, Beam was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska vacated by Judge Robert V. Denney. Beam was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 18, 1981, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1986 to 1987. His service terminated on November 9, 1987, due to elevation to the court of appeals.

On July 1, 1987, Reagan nominated Beam to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated by Judge Donald Roe Ross. Beam was confirmed by the Senate on November 6, 1987, and received his commission on November 9, 1987. He assumed senior status on February 1, 2001. Beam died in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 31, 2025, at the age of 95.

Sources

• C. Arlen Beam at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.