Charles passed away unexpectedly this September after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a devoted family man, a brilliant venture capitalist and the truest friend you could ever have.
Charles co-founded Rally in 2012 as the apotheosis of his career which was spent almost entirely in venture capital. Charles’ parents imbued in him a love of technology and entrepreneurship: his father George Beeler ran IT at Mayo Clinic and his mother Selby Beeler was an author and entrepreneur. With Charles’ additional interest in finance, he chose venture as his career of choice when he graduated from Wharton Business School.
After stints at Scripps Ventures and Piper Jaffray Ventures, Charles joined El Dorado Ventures, whereupon his first deal as a new partner in 2000, NuSpeed, returned over 55x invested capital, forever cementing his truly best in class career IRR! Charles had success investing in multiple tech sectors over the years including seminal companies like Coupa and Compellent, both of which he oversaw from nearly the very beginning through their IPOs.
Charles’ infectious personality and the ease with which he created lifelong friendships truly distinguished him. Leading with an unforgettable grin trumping that of the famous Cheshire cat and possessing a surfeit of charisma, Charles made friends and acquaintances everywhere he went. Literally thousands of people have been regaled by his stories which were free-flowing and wildly entertaining (he’d say inherited from his mother and grandfather). He took a genuine interest in people, their families and their interests and passions. More importantly, when called upon he was always there to help or provide a caring shoulder on which to lean.
Charles used these friendships to pour the foundation of Rally Ventures – The Tech Partner Network. As Charles would say – “If your friends are your competitive advantage, you’ve already won not only in business but in life.” With a hands-on approach to his craft, he worked with multiple friends on every company while simultaneously creating new friendships with many of the executives at those companies (who would often later become tech partners as well continuing the cycle). Charles wonderfully combined his personal and professional life.
Charles was also a true polymath, reveling in myriad activities from rugby at Colby and Edinburg to Formula Dodge, triathlons, BBQ pit master, Texas Hold ‘em. He was also an avid spectator of those at the top of their craft whether it was Tour de France, F1 at the Monaco Grand Prix or one of numerous Kona Ironmans. He also had a very special place in his heart for Camp Chippewa, which he attended as a child, later became a camp counselor and eventually became chairman, a role he had until his passing.
Foremost, however, Charles was a dedicated and loving father and husband. Almost every conversation would begin with the latest exploits or interests of his three children and inquiring the same of whomever he was conversing. He cared deeply and worked hard to help his children with every endeavor he could. He was lucky to meet his wife in his 20s and cherished her for good reason: behind every great person there lies an even greater partner. He never had a doubt that soulmates exist, and he had found his which in a world of billions is the hardest lottery ticket to pull. Given how everything special in his life interconnected, it was also not surprising that Camp Chippewa was the proximate cause of his luck in this regard.
Charles left us all too soon. However, during his 53 years on this earth, he lived more than most people could in multiple lifetimes. He touched so many and believed the true measure of wealth was how many people with whom you’ve bonded. He truly made those around him better people.
Charles, we love you and miss you.
“As long as rivers shall run down to the sea, or shadows touch the mountain slopes, or stars graze in the vault of heaven, so long shall your honor, your name, your praises endure.”
– Virgil –
