De Beer was born on 25 June 1945 in Durban. He attended school at Port Natal and then went on to study as a teacher at the Teacher's Training College. However because of his interest and passion in radio broadcasting he auditioned for LM Radio and was employed in Lourenço Marques - now Maputo in 1968. He learnt his trade from the greats, David Davies, Evie Martin, Gerry Wilmot, John Berks, Darryl Jooste and Barry O'Donoghue.
After leaving LM Radio, De Beer joined the SABC where he worked for a number of the services including Highveld and Radio Port Natal. He later joined M-Net where he was part of the team that started the subscription broadcasting TV service. He was sent to Egypt and Greece to help establish DSTV in those countries. De Beer also spent some time with Solid Gold radio in Johannesburg, together with Tony Sanderson.
When LM Radio was re-launched in December 2009, De Beer became a key member of the presenter team together with Peter de Nobrega (another LM Radio veteran), Tinky Pringle (ex SABC and Supersport), Brian Oxley and other radio professionals. He helped to shape the style of music to appeal to young and older listeners alike and hosted the evening 7-11pm slot six nights a week.
"He was a private man of great talent and integrity. He had a warm nature, a great sense of humour and was loved by radio audiences young and old. Radio was his first love, a love he maintained throughout his life to the very end. We extend our deepest sympathy to Reg's family and friends," reads the press release issued by LM Radio.
LM Radio is the only English language music radio station in Mozambique with offices and studios based in Maputo and Rivonia South Africa. The station broadcasts on 87.8 MHz FM in Maputo and Ponta do Ouro and on 1197 kHz AM from Maseru in Lesotho to the central Free State province of South Africa. LM Radio is also simulcast in Johannesburg at various times of the day on Radio Today 1485 AM and on Cofifi community radio 97.2 FM.
