White House Historical Association

Carl B. Beahm

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"Carl B. Beahm," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whitehouseworkers.org/Detail/workers/1166.
Position
Florist
Years in President's House
1966 – circa 1975
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
White
Presidencies
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard M. Nixon
Gerald R. Ford
Biography

Carl Bernard Beahm Sr. was born on March 11, 1941, in Washington, D.C.1 In 1966, he began working at the White House. Beahm served as a floral designer, helping to create elaborate arrangements for daily use and major events such as State Visits, holiday receptions, and weddings under the supervision of Chief Floral Designer Elmer F. “Rusty” Young.2 Beahm and his colleagues worked in the flower shop in the basement of the White House beneath the North Portico. 

Beahm is documented on staff through at least 1975, but further information about his career is limited at this time.3 Carl Beahm passed away on September 13, 2008, and was buried at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.4

  1. “Birthdays,” Undated, folder: folder “Birthdays (Residence Staff),” box 29, Betty Ford White House Papers, Gerald R. Ford Library, https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/library/document/0018/81556614.pdf; “Carl Beahm,” Obituary, Legacy, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/carl-beahm-obituary?pid=117521439.
  2. “Guest List for Presentation of Golden Rose Award,” folder: “7-2-75 Golden Rose Award,” Box 3, Betty Ford White House Papers, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library; Untitled Staff List, December 1972, Collection: White House Usher’s Office; Series: Rex Scouten’s Subject File; Folder: Residence Employees; Container 5, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.
  3. “Guest List for Presentation of Golden Rose Award,” folder: “7-2-75 Golden Rose Award,” Box 3, Betty Ford White House Papers, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
  4. “Carl Beahm,” Obituary, Legacy, https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/carl-beahm-obituary?pid=117521439. 
Birthplace
Washington, D.C., USA
Burial Place
Mount Comfort Cemetery
Blue markers indicate birthplaces and green markers indicate burial places. Black markers are used for places of both birth and burial.
Related Association Content
A History of White House Flowers and Florists
Explore the history of floral design at the White House from early gardeners to the modern role of Chief Floral Designer.