Clarence Arlen Beam

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.