David Beach attended a one room country school in Cass County before graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1953. He attended the University of North Dakota UND) 1953-1955 and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1956. He served in the Air Force until 1961 and returned to UND, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1963. Upon graduation, Beach became office manager at Ryan Potato Company of East Grand Forks until 1980, when he left to work at Northern Realty Management, Inc. He was employed there until his retirement in 1998.

He was elected to the Grand Forks City Council in 1985, representing Ward 1. He served until he retired in 1998, spanning nearly 13 years of service. Throughout Beach’s tenure, he chaired the Urban Development Committee and the Public Service Committee, as well as serving on the Finance Committee. While on the Council, he was a strong supporter of the Alerus Center. Beach has also been active with the Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission.