Born in Stapleton, Nebraska, Beam received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln 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–Lincoln College of Law in 1965, and was thereafter in private practice in Lincoln, Nebraska until 1982.

[2] 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 Vernon Denney.

Beam was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 18, 1981, and received his commission the same day.

[2] 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.