Megan Anne Bevan
1958 – 2004
Megan Anne Bevan was born in Charlotte, North Carolina,
June 16, 1958, the youngest child of John M. Bevan and Louise Dabbs Bevan. She graduated from Swarthmore College in 1980
and moved to Washington, DC to join the staff of National Geographic. Beginning as a writer-researcher in
Educational Media and Educational Films she was on the ground floor as a senior
scriptwriter for the newly launched National Geographic Explorer series. She was quickly promoted to Associate
Producer for Explorer’s host studio shoots.
Known not only for her personal integrity, but also as an
embodiment of the National Geographic institutional ethos, Megan was the
logical choice to create, then direct Explorer’s Research Department from 1986
to 1990. In 1991 she took over
management of Explorer studio production, a complex job involving studio
production between Washington, DC, and New York, annually directing a crew of
directors, script writers, and set designers.
Her gentle nature was put to the test as she was responsible for
managing on-air talent, from Bob Ballard to Robert Ulrich. Her ability to understand many different
points of view and remain steadfastly unflappable under pressure was a critical
attribute that qualified her for this position.
Megan was promoted to Vice President for all National
Geographic broadcast and syndicated series which included numerous series
domestically and extensive international distribution in a period of worldwide
expansion for National Geographic Television.
Megan became an integral part of the programming team that developed the
schedule line-up for the launch of the National Geographic Channel, now one of
the fastest growing cable channels in the U.S. market.
Tim Kelly, President, NGT, and long-time colleague from the
beginning of Megan’s career at National Geographic said, “During her time here,
Megan mastered every challenge that came her way. She was dedicated, funny, and most of all, a
kind person who everyone was pleased to work with. She was the most knowledgeable person on the
planet about the extensive National Geographic motion picture library. Megan enriched our lives with her grace and
good will and she will be remembered and sorely missed by her colleagues around
the world.”
Megan is remembered by her family and friends for her
wonderful sense of humor. Christmas was
particularly entertaining as she spent the entire year collecting unique and
funny gifts as she duplicated her father’s joy by splurging on other
people. Masterful at verbal one-liners,
she would create drama and entertainment in playful games and spoofs.
Megan died on July 29, 2004, from leiomyosarcoma, a rare
form of cancer. She was 47 years
old. The diagnosis was unexpected with
no clinical explanation. Health
conscious all of her life, she ate and exercised with the same attention to her
body as she’d given to her job. She attacked the disease with determination,
fortitude, and a sense of humor for three years. Sometimes believing that she could beat it,
sometimes believing that she couldn’t, she made a point of doing the things she
cared about with the people she loved.
Ultimately her body refused to cooperate. Throughout it all, she tried to reassure
those around her who were overcome with grief.
Once asked what was the hardest part of being the baby in the family,
she responded, “Watching your family members die before you do.” It is with great irony and sadness that she
preceded all but her father in death.
