Fred Beier

Please read and enjoy what others remember about Fred.

Posted 3/11/05:

Being the younger brother of an already established student-athlete at St. John’s had both its pros and cons. But, undoubtedly, one of the biggest pros was the extra “advance” time before I actually arrived at SJ when I got to hear and enjoy stories about Fred Beier, the coach, the teacher, and the comedian.

I look at the extra year’s worth of stories – all hilarious, memorable, and educational – as bonus time
that I had the pleasure of enjoying with him.

Any student who knew Mr. Beier knows that he is part of the fabric that makes St. John’s such a positive influence on so many young men. And he always will be.

I can’t imagine any person having a greater impact than Mr. Beier did at SJ. So many of us are so much better for having known him and learned from him.

With much gratitude,
Greg Faist ‘92

You were my mentor, Fred, way back in 1972. I came here as the first teaching Brother at SJJ. You were the guy who guided me as I began my first year teaching both health and physical education. You went even further by guiding me along as I began to coach Freshman Football & Freshman Wrestling. It goes without needing to say that you did a great job! I was blessed with a truly caring mentor and a good friend. I hope and pray that I always put forth the teaching and coaching qualities and heart that you were able to share with me. I will always remember you, my friend.
Thank you, Fred!
Butch Welling

Posted Tuesday, December 21, 11:15 am:

I just want to say thanks to everyone who shared their stories about
their experience with my brother Fred. Whether it was a gym class,
health class, driver's ed or football experience, they all contained
a common thread and that thread was Fred making an impact on a young
person. This is a difficult time, but coming to this web site to read
so many stories helps the healing process. Stories that make me laugh
and stories that choke me up, but all tell of the man Fred was.

Fred and I enjoyed hunting, we would meet at the turnpike exchange on
Reynolds Rd and make our way to Fred's favorite hunting spot in
Fremont. Those in our family know that when it comes to driving more
than 20 minutes, Fred and I both need a little help at times staying
alert. Unfortunately, Fremont was a 40 minute drive.....well past our
comfort zone. So, we would actually have to talk to each other to
keep each other awake. More times than not, our conversation would go
to Fred's latest prank he pulled on some naive freshman. I can still
hear him laugh so hard that he would almost run off the road. I have
heard many of the stories that have been relayed over the past 2
weeks, I have heard them from the master himself. Of course, Fred
only talked about the pranks that he pulled, he never talked about
the many times he helped guys through the rough times. That's on the
verge of bragging about yourself, something Fed just wouldn't do.
Every year brought another group of unsuspecting fresh-men or should
I say..... fresh-meat!

Fred had a passion for what he did. Our family all knew that Fred had
an impact on a number of students and athletes. Reading your stories
and memorials speak to the extent of his influence and I am proud of
what Fred did for so many. I've always looked up to Fred for the
examples he set.

We miss Fred. The support we received in the form of prayers,
thoughts, stories, cards, articles, personal visits, attending Fred's
funeral.......all has helped to ease the pain. Thanks to all for
helping us get through this difficult time. Fred will always live on
in each one of us he touched.

Chuck Beier

It is with great sorrow that I hear of the passing of your husband and
father. I can say without any hesitation that Mr. Beier was my favorite teacher. I
have characterized him the same way to many people over the last week as
" just a great guy." What I saw in him was a caring for all students no matter how
smart, athletic, or talented.

My household has also been a place of mourning and faith, as my mom passed
away a week before Mr. Beier. My parents(John and Laverne), had a great deal of
respect for Fred. I'm sure it didn't hurt being fellow University of Detroit
alumnus. I hope your faith can bring you comfort at this difficult time.

Dennis M. Packo
Class of 1978

When I hung up my cleats for the last time in the fall of 1968 only one person thanked me for my 4 years of effort at St.Johns and offered to help me play football somewhere else in the future if that was my desire.That person was Fred Beier.I thanked him for his nice words and offer of help,but I knew I was to small,to slow,and to physically damaged to ever play football again.I never forgot his kindness and consideration though.

When the schools original football coach retired,Fred spoke and mentioned that his"scariest moments" at our new school were when he had to climb the light poles at Rogers high with the wind blowing to take game films .Having worked on the year book I happened to have a picture of Fred up one of those poles and holding on for dear life.When he retired after his very successful tenure as head coach I framed it and sent it to him with the words,"So that you don't only remember the good times at SJJ....."

Last spring in a Detroit Freepres article dated Nov.23,1963 there was a story about Fred that said that if he had a good day rushing against Toledo on Saturday that he would pass Gayle Sayers to lead the nation in rushing.I drove to Toledo to give the article to his son,asking that he forward it to Fred.I wrote "I was impressed and hoped someday that he could tell me in person how he had done".I never got to find out.

Finally,I would like to say this.If the people who are reading these mesages would really like to know how us "old timers" felt about Fred Beier I suggest this.Take a straw pole of that very first senior laced varsity football team that St.John fielded in 1968 and ask them if they had to do it all over again who would they prefer to lead us into our last grid iron game. I bet hands down the winner would be Fred Beier.Till I die I will say the class of 1969 would have given the great school of St. Johns its first football championship if Fred has been our head coach.I can pay the man no greater homage.He was simply a great coach and a great person.

Fred was loved by all of us.We wish him God's speed and a peacefull eternal rest.

Joe Imhof 1969

I was overcome with a flood of memories when Rick Rattay was nice enough to
call me with the sad news of Fred's passing. It took Rick a good 10 minutes
before he thought he could break the news. We spent the rest of the
conversation with one Fred story after another. I've smiled many times
since I got the news thinking of some of my more memorable Fred Beier
moments. We all have so many because he gave so many of us so much of
himself.

When I was at St. John's, Mr. Beier was still running sprints with us -
beating us too - and of course letting us know about it afterwards. He was
the coach we all wanted to notice our performance. A few words of praise
from Mr. Beier, and it was always a very few words, and you were on top of
the world.

Mr. Beier was and is my example of a man for others. He was the coach I
most respected and admired. I think his greatest achievement is that so
many of us carry a part of him inside us. You left us too soon Fred. You
were still needed perhaps now more than ever. It is very sad that no more
young men will be shaped into men at St. Johns with the help of Fred Beier.

A word of advice to the coaching staff, invoke the name of Fred Beier before
every St. Francis game.

Brendan Moynihan

As our freshman wrestling coach, Mr. Beier taught us to be tough –
something most Catholic school boys truly need to learn. But in so doing,
he also showed us how to be composed, fair and dignified – to be good men.

But he did it all with a grand sense of humor, too. He would stand over
me during wrestling practice as I was on my back getting pummeled by Chris
Klever and say, “That’s it, Haase. Don’t hurt him, now.” Then my reply
would get me 20 extra laps after practice.

Dwight Haase, ‘87

You were my mentor, Fred, way back in 1972. I came here as the first teaching Brother at SJJ. You were the guy who guided me as I began my first year teaching both health and physical education. You went even further by guiding me along as I began to coach Freshman Football & Freshman Wrestling. It goes without needing to say that you did a great job! I was blessed with a truly caring mentor and a good friend. I hope and pray that I always put forth the teaching and coaching qualities and heart that you were able to share with me. I will always remember you, my friend.
Thank you, Fred!

Butch Welling

Fred Beier was a plain and simple man on the outside, but on the inside, at heart, he was great and sincere. I can remember returning to my car on a cold winter afternoon and trying to start it after leaving the headlights on that morning. Before I could even ask for assistance, Mr. Beier had pulled up in a golf cart to jump start the car as if he had known I needed help.

When on a retreat with Fred Beier, the true spirit of St. John's, he gave me the most simple, obvious, yet most worthwhile advice I have ever recieved: Never hesitate to ask a question if you do not understand. Today, I take this advice with me throughout my life and am greatful that my path in life crossed with this wonderful person. I continue to ask many questions, and fondly remember Fred Beier and the courage he gave me that has greatly embellished my life.

Benjamin Ott
Class of '03

Posted December 14:

It was a sad moment when I received the notice that Fred has passed. I have been far removed from St. John's but have been lucky to keep up with some changes through the news letter.

I was one of the lucky ones that got to know Fred through track and wrestling. I also took advantage of the annual fishing trips on Lake Erie. Even though I have moved from Toledo, to this day, I still tell stories to my friends and family about St. John's and Fred Beier. He was an incredible person and one I feel lucky to have met and made memories with. I was also fortunate to come to know Tony for a time when I was attending the Univerity of Toledo in the early 90's.

I can't imagine for a moment the depth of loss your family must feel. Please pass along my condolences. My thoughts are with you all.

Sincerely,

Jon Purdy '85

I would like to just say how wonderful the service was on Friday at SJ
for Mr. Beier. The stories told, and the video montage were very fitting.
A great tribute for a great man. I have already posted some thoughts on Mr.
Beier, and I only wish to add one more.

On the last day of school before Christmas break my freshman year, Mr. Beier approached me as I was walking into the Commons, and told me to see him before I left for break. Having
just completed my first season as one of his two cameramen, I was unsure to
what he wanted to see me for. The season had been over for a while now, and
I knew that I had put all of the equipment back. Well, after school ended,
I went down to his office to see what he wanted. He told me what a good job
I had done that season, and that he was glad to have my help. Then, he
handed me a large box that was wrapped. I really didn't know what to say,
him thanking me was enough, but here he is, giving me a gift on top of it.
So, I thanked him, and wished him a Merry Christmas and left. I went home
that day, and told my parents who were just as surprised as me, and I put
the gift away till Christmas.

Well, Christmas came around, and I was opening some gifts up, I eventually came to Mr. Beier's. I opened it, only to find a varsity jacket inside. I really didn't know what to say, and I
still don't to this day, thank you is just not enough. The gesture was
incredible. The fact that he thought enough of me, and what I was doing, to
reach into his own pocket and to give me this incredibly generous show of
thanks, it completely embodies what Mr. Beier stood for, the type of man
that he was.

At the wake on Thursday night, standing with my dad and a
couple of his classmates, he had me tell the story again, and everyone's
reaction was the same, "Yep, that's Fred." At the time I was surprised, but
now, I'm not, I'm just extremely lucky to have had him as an influence in my
life. Once again, thank you Mr. Beier, I am a better person for knowing you.

Tim Wersell - class of 1998

It's been nearly four decades since my vivid memories of gym class with a
young Coach Beier at St. John's in the 60's. I'm not ashamed to admit that I
offered up a prayer and a tear when I heard the sad news. My feelings extend
to his family.

He was a positive life force to all who knew him in the community and around
the country.

David J. Mack
Orlando, Florida

Thanks for compiling these tributes. Here's mine:

I met Mr. Beier on my first day of high school. While reading the roll call in homeroom, Mr. Beier came across my unique name and stopped in his tracks. After a few awkward pronunciations, he growled, "Who the hell is this?" The class roared with laugher, and I raised my hand eager but terrified to identify myself. As I explained that my name was written correctly, Mr. Beier growled, "Are you kidding? Are you sure that's your name, son?" Then, finally cracking a smile, he said, "Wait 'til the seniors hear about you!"

Mr. Beier teased me throughout my first weeks of homeroom, and, as everyone knows, he was good-natured in his ribbing. I realized only years later that perhaps he found in my name just one more way to connect with students: in my case, as part of a nervous class of freshmen. Mr. Beier's interest in and talents for connecting with students were exceptional. His connection with me gave me a level of confidence that I carry today.

At the end of freshman year, I happened to win a "Closest to the Pin" golf competition on Field Day. When I went to collect the prize money, Mr. Beier mysteriously appeared and demanded I share my winnings with him. I laughed, but his expression remained serious, warning, "Listen, buddy, I made you famous in homeroom, remember?" I was prepared to fork over the money and must have looked scared because Mr. Beier then let out a big laugh and told me to get lost.

Mr. Beier was right that day. He did make me. And he made me realize I didn't have a single reason to fear high school or the life that St. John's has enabled me to enjoy. I know I am just one of thousands of lucky people who thank God that this great man entered my life. Fred Beier, thank you for your good humor, your generosity, your decency, and, most of all, your example. You were truly a man for others.

Bong Miquiabas, 1990

If I tried to put down my memories and thoughts on Mr. Beier I would have to write a novel. To the Beier family and Mrs. Beier, I wish you the best of luck and my prayers will always be with you. Mr. Beier I know you are reading these and that you are watching over all of us. You have showed many people how to live a beautiful life. From the four years I have known you I have been taught to never give up. You will never know the impact you have had on me. As I go on in life I hope I can give half of what you did. There will be at least one "true story" I will always tell. That story is that life without you is "rediclous." Thank you, Mr. Beier for sharing yourself with so many people.

Andrew Decker '04

I'm sitting in my hotel in midtown Manhattan tonight, just having just called my Mom in Toledo to see how's she's doing. She tells me about Fred's passing.

I'm amazed. That guy was too tough to leave us so soon.......

He was the finest teacher and coach I've ever had. Twenty four years later, I feel so compelled to write something - to acknowledge his impact on my life. Teaching me how to drive (scary thought...), teaching me the finer points of wrestling and football (he tried his best - but I don't think I ever lived up to his expectations here), but most importantly - teaching me about life, by his example.

The High School years are so critical to a young man's development - and there was Coach Beier for me - encouraging, cajoling, teaching, mentoring, and occasionally putting me in my place, Of all the wonderful teachers at SJ I had the honor to be with - Coach Beier was the one I still think about to this day. His combination of toughness, kindness, understanding, and encouragement are unmatched. I hope that I can be the same for my three boys.

I think Fred would be proud.

Bill Rauch, Class of 1980.

I keep looking for somebody to bring up the line that I have thought to be one of Fred's most immortal phrases. I haven't seen it, so I can only describe it here.

Fred was always very passionate about things he believed to be wrong. Be it something global, something in society, or something relative to St. John's, Fred would have his opinion.

Now, I don't believe he would just spout off whatever was on his mind. Rather, his responses were always well thought out, well prepared, and nearly always infallible. My guess is that, when he noticed an injustice, he would hash things out with the person he truly loved, Sharon, the night before disclosing his revelation to others at school. I think he would test the validity of his argument on Sharon before revealing it to others.

Once affirmed by his lifetime partner, Fred could pull anybody aside and confidently state his case. He often shared his thoughts with me, which I always appreciated. The world according to Fred was cut and dried. Right or wrong. And if it was wrong, Fred wanted people to know, rightfully so.

Which brings me to his immortal phrase. It's a common, 2-word phrase that contains a mild expletive. And it was the WAY that he said it that captures its essence. In a loud, almost shouting, whisper, Fred would exclaim, after presenting his case, "It's BULLSHIT." His case would then be summarized in a sentence, and his exclamatory phrase would be repeated in the same, loud whisper.

Fred was a man of many convictions, and he wanted to see that any wrongs in the world were righted.

Mitch Crawford
Teacher, Webmaster

Posted Monday, December 13, 1:00 pm:

I will truly miss Coach Beier. Some of my fondest memories of St. John's evolves around Mr. Beier. I remember having him for physical education. We were doing one legged races and I surprised him with my speed so he put me up against the running back on his jv team(always thinking about his possible roster, I'm sure). I lost but I appreciated his confidence in me.

I had Mr. Beier as my driver's ed instructor. I remember pulling over to get his beef jerky and the conversations we would have in the car. As a band student I remember him coming in to talk to the band and letting us know how important we were to getting the fans excited. I remember how as a freshman his serious demeanor intimidated me but by the time I was a senior I could recognize the slight grin he would give you and it was so obvious how much he cared.

Finally, I remember as a varsity wrestler my senior year when he came up to me while I was warming up for my match in the dual against St. Francis. His words meant a lot because of the way I looked up to him. This time I won. Thank you Mr. Beier. My prayers go out to the family and thank you for sharing Mr. Beier with us.

Rick Thompson
Class of '94

As Mr. Beier's equipment manager I may have too many
memories of him. There isn't a day that goes by that
I don't use one of the lessons he taught me. I owe
the man I am today, to him.

The only time I saw him ever saw him out of his normal
character was right after two students, one being one
of his football players, passed away in a tragic
accident.

I hope the students that were able to experience him
know how much he loved them. For the future students,
I pray that they will know that kind of love.

Coach, I will miss you and above all I thank you for
teaching me the lessons of integrity, hard work, and
above all, Honor.

Forever your student, Mike Arthur '97

I was sad to hear of Fred's untimely death.
He was one of my favorite "tough guys" from
S.J. Although he could be quite intimidating
to a skinny 120 lb. freshman , he always took
time to let you know that you had what it takes
to succeed. He was a man for all seasons, a good
Catholic example for all of us. Wouldn't it be nice
if all those who knew Fred would have a Mass said
for the repose of his soul. I think he would
appreciate that the most!

Anthony Kotecki, Class of 1973

I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Beier and wish to express my condolences to the family of a truly wonderful individual. I learned a great deal from Mr. Beier during my years at St. John's from 1972-76 and offer heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the entire Beier family. Mr. Beier was a man of character and strength, and he truly exemplified what St. John's is all about. There are, of course, no words that can lessen the tremendous loss felt by the Beier family nor the St. John's community, but I for one, am extremely thankful that my life was touched by Fred Beier. I know, that I am a much better man for having him be a part of my life.

Erick Iskersky, class of 1976.

I am so sorry for your loss. When I received the notice on Tuesday, I was shocked. Fred left many heart felt memories to many students, faculty, & the St. John's community.

I hold many memories of my own from my High School & teaching days at St. John's. Fred has made a major impression on me and my life. He believed in me while I attended SJ and helped me receive a teaching position at SJ after college. His guidance through my professional career and personal insights on life has help me pave the way to my own successes in life. I remember about a year and half ago, a car drove up into our drive way in Litchfield, Oh., upon my amazement it was Fred with his granddaughter. I was very happy to see that he took the time to visit while visiting your son who lives in Hinckley. A funny note, my wife Jennifer, when she first met Fred she thought he looked like Robert Conrad from the battery commercial. HA! HA! At this point in my life I have had many successes that I would like to contribute not only to my own parents but the influences that Fred has had on my life in general. He has help me to mature as a High School student through academics and athletics. Putting in a hard days work with a positive attitude and not looking for anything in return is one of the important things Fred has taught me in my life.

Upon this day, all of us feel a loss. Fred was not only a mentor but a father figure to me. As I listened to the stories about Fred's life in church today and how he lived his life only made me feel like I'm missing something in life. We sometimes forget how fortunate we are as teachers & parents to be able to guide and develop young individuals in life. I sometimes forget these opportunities when I'm teaching or coaching and need to step back and evaluate why I got into the profession of being a teacher. Today, I realized that I need to slow down and make sure that I spend more quality time not only with my family but with the students that I teach and coach. Try not to sweat the little stuff that comes up because life is too short.

As a final note, I can only say that I'm so sorry for your loss. Fred was a good teacher,coach,mentor, & from the dealings that I have had with you & your sons a good father and husband. I especially will have an empty feeling in side when I remember all the memories and impressions Fred has made on my life.

God Bless All Of You.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Friel 82'
Jennifer
Austin
Kyle

No one can express exactly how they feel inside;however, please let it suffice to say that even though I have not had contact with St. John's for very many years, the news of Mr. Beier's passing was a devastating blow to my being. It is a wonder how an individual can impact another's life, especially with the influence of Mr. Beier. While reading comments that students and friends made on the SJ webpage it was overwhelmingly obvious what a tremendous treasure we all had in Mr. Beier. I hope this note can convey to your family the sense of greatness Mr. Beier carried and imparted to all of us.

Thankfully, I believe that many more, than not, who knew Mr. Beier realize what they had before it was gone. And, with this realization, I believe most applied to their lives what was great about Mr. Beier while being with him, knowing him, and even when apart from him. I cannot express all that Mr. Beier did or said that has become part of me, for it is too deep and intricate to relate.

The greatest legacy a man can leave is the degree of integrity in which he has lived his life. And, I can boldly proclaim that Mr. Fred Beier has bestowed a superior standard of integrity to all that know him.

May God grant the serenity and peace necessary to you and all those concerned to heal the great rift of loss with your most loved one.

Gerald W. Minichiello
Class of 1983

Coach Beier has been one of the most positive influences in my 47 years.
Even though 29 years have gone by since I graduated from St. John's, I have
never forgotten about him. I respected the man so much that I can still
recall specific words of encouragement he gave me during football.one of the
best role models you could ever imagine for so many young men.

He not only influenced me but his influence will live on for generations.
Way to go Coach!!

Joe Blanchard
Class of 1975

I am deeply saddened to have learned of Mr. Beier's passing. Unfortunately, I didn't get to hear of it until I was at my own grandmother's funeral, as news passes slowly from Toledo to Korea. Mr. Beier always had a kind word for anyone he passed in the hallways, and could brighten even the gloomiest of days. He will be remembered fondly.

Sincerely,
Thomas Wenzke, US Army
Class of 2000

St. John's has remained a part of me even though I
left Toledo a decade ago. I came across the news of
Mr. Beier's passing while cruising by the web site to
check on this year's basketball team. The entire
community will miss him, but we are all better for
knowing him.

I never played for Coach Beier, but he still made
quite an impression on this scrawny little kid when I
entered SJ as freshman, just a couple months after
turning 13. That first day, I learned how to spell
his name, the same way thousands of students have:
" beer with an 'i' in the middle."

I learned what a great man he was during gym class
that year. I had pneumonia, so I spent most of the
first semester sitting in the bleachers during seventh
period instead of running around in those heavy,
reversible gym shirts. Coach Beier spent a lot of
that time sitting there with me, just talking. He
made me part of the class, even though I couldn't be
out there taking part.

Then there was driver's ed. My whole body lurched the
first time he used the brake on me. It took a few
seconds to figure out why the car had suddenly
stopped. Later that summer, we were finishing up my
road hours. Coming around a curve, I spotted a piece
of muffler in the road. I didn't know what to do, so
I kept going right over it. Coach Beier shouted "What
are you doing? Go AROUND that stuff." Two minutes
later he was laughing about it, telling the other guy
in the car not to do the same thing.

My thoughts are with the Beier family. Fred Beier's
passing saddens us all, but we should celebrate the
way he lived, and the lessons he taught us all. He
will always be a part of St. John's.

Ian Schank
Class of '89

We all have been hit by a freight train with this news...I am very thankful
to have known the Beiers over the years and when the memories of SJJ come to
mind, Fred is always in the picture. We shared many laughs and the
occasional beer over the years...Fred, save me a seat at the bar...My best
to the Beier family...

Jeff Arman '81

Other then parent conferences, I had only spoke with Mr. Beier casually one
time and I'll never forget it.

I was working at the Open House, passing out coffee and Mr. Beier walked up.
I asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee and he replied, " I've been here so
long, I remember when they used to serve beer at these things!".

...and I thought he was kidding. It was true!

a Mom

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Beier family. The entire SJJ
family, alumni, and community, has truly lost a great man.

1974 …we were at evening football practice in August. “Fred” was just
riding me all during drills and sprints. He thought I was dogging it
out. He called me over to him and asked me what was wrong. I told him
I had a terrible pain in my side. “Fred” came up and looked at me, you
know, with that total violatiobn iof space, in your face your on my turf
look that he had, and then all of a sudden a very disturbing look came
over his face.

“Mazzurco” he said as he was prodding my side, “it’s 5:30. Lets go.
Very puzzled, I walk to the locker room with him. As we get to the
coaches office in the locker room, he calls my father and says: Carl?
Fred Beier here, . “it’s about Jeff, he’s got a hot appendix, and by
the way he looks now they’ll be cutting him open before midnight.” I
ALMOST FAINTED!

They took it out at 11:40pm. When I came back to school “Fred” just
looked at me and said, what time? And smiled. We laughed about that
for years.

** Fred ** in SJJ language is synonomous with respect!

Carl Jeffery Mazzurco

We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Sharon and to Fred's children and extended family during this time of grieving. We knew Fred and Sharon from high school days more than 40 years ago in Fremont but have had only limited contact with them since then. We have enjoyed reading the heartfelt comments from all the younger people whose lives have been so influeced for the good by Fred. We are not surprised by this great outpouring of affection, but it is nonetheless edifying to see the evidence of the good man that Fred became. We knew him simply as a schoolmate who was a nice guy and great athlete. The goodness that was poured into him by his parents, teachers, and coaches back then has born much fruit through the years. We might all have wished a longer life for Fred, but we could hardly have wished for a more successful or productive one.

Sincerely,
Norb and Sandy (Brunner) Widman

First of all my heart and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Beier.
He was one of the teachers that made it easier for me to go to school. He
always stated that i had the shuttle record and to this day i believe him. I
seen him on Sept. 3rd and he told the students in his gym class at the time
that i had that records. He stated that i was one of the fastest guys he has
ever seen and that he wished i would have played football, but I knew Mr. H.
would not have like that much.

Mr. Beier will be greatly missed.

Laran Sims '96

Life is a journey. Fred Beier always taught his players to enjoy the
journey while you had the chance. My personal journey under Fred during
those four amazing years of football took a major detour my senior year.
It was the end of my career as a player and the beginning of a story
that continues to change with time. What made the transition so
important for me was that Fred was there for me as he was for so many
before me and so many that followed. He took a very difficult experience
for me and helped me to dig deep into the player that he had helped
develop and pushed me to strive for something greater than being an
athlete. I will never forget the pride and tradition he instilled in me
as a part our time together. His spirit lives on in everything SJ is,
was, will be. He will be missed, but never forgotten. Thanks Coach!

Josh Mariea
Class of '92

My first contact with Fred Beier was in gym class during the fall of 1967.
There was no such thing as safety in numbers. He could smell fear and would
call on the most reluctant among us to help him demonstrate a wrestling
maneuver. There was no path of least resistance. A slacker could be spotted
from the far side of the gym. I think however that those who knew him
entirely from gym class did not know him entirely.

I'm sure that most students who had him for a coach can recall an event that sticks out more
than others. For me it was during track season. I threw the discus and ran
the 220 but was primarily a pole vaulter. Even those who have never pole
vaulted have some idea of what a successful vault should look like.
Occasionally you will see a vault that deviates from the norm. Though
normally a good vaulter, I had just deviated as far from the norm as would
seem possible. I managed to get half way over the bar and stalled out and
began sliding down the pole. As the bar bowed it sent one standard toward
the infield and the other toward a group of runners on the track who quickly
dispersed. As the bar recoiled it shot up in the air in one direction while
the pole went another and I ended up in the dirt and gravel just short of
the pads. As I stood up and began dusting myself off, I saw Mr. Beier right
in front of me. With just a hint of a smile on his face he said "What are
you Riedel...some kind of spastic?" He looked around the area and back at me
and said "We should just call you Spaz from now on." He shook his head and
walked off.

During our Junior and Senior years Mike Kijowski and I usually
took first and second place at all out track meets but I was still known as
the 'Spaz'. While talking to Mr. Beier at our 35th class reunion he recalled
the day and described it as a 'defining moment'. I'm sure that Fred Beier
was part of many 'defining moments' at St. John's and collectively they
define the man.

George Riedel (a.k.a. Spaz) '71'

To Chris, Tony, and the rest of the Beier family,

My family would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to your entire
family. I attended the celebration this morning at St. John's and it was a
great reflection of how influential your Dad was to so many lives. The
service this morning was so powerful; I was glad to be a part of it and
privileged to know him both as a student and later as an SJJ coach.

My favorite memory was being a student-athlete in his class and telling him
that my golf game was struggling - so I was considering playing football.
His response went something like this; "Spencer, at 105 pounds soaking wet
you better continue to practice your short game, b/c I don't want to be
responsible for peeling a golfer off the grid-iron." When I became the SJJ
Golf Coach -- in the hallways, he showed me such respect and always showed
his interest in my team. Once in a while, he would even leave me with a bit
of his wisdom. It was always appreciated. I have a tremendous respect for
Coach Beier. He will be remembered forever!

Yours truly,

Mike Spencer
SJJ class of '88

I would like to extend my condolances to the Beier family. I have many
happy memories of Mr. Beier.

Although I didn¹t play on any of his football teams, I was in his Gym
classes, is Political Science class, and of course his Driver¹s Ed classes,
and I went to SJJ with his sons Tony and Chris. He was always fair and
cared very much for the men under his supervision. When I heard that he had
passed away I was saddened, and my thoughts go out to his loved ones. Please
forward my regards to his family.

Thank you,

Andy Dills'88

I was the seventh person in my family to have Mr. Beier as a teacher at St. John's, as he taught my dad and my uncles back in the 70's and 80's, my older brother not too long ago, and my twin the first semester of our freshman year. Although my official P.E. teacher was Mr. Kinney, our class and Mr. Beier's class both shared the main gym 7th period. I had heard stories of my older brother breaking the gym mile record in Mr. Beier's class, and of how he would always boast that my brother had run the mile later that day in a track meet 2 seconds faster than he had in gym class. This is just one of many stories that goes to show his respect for his thousands of students over the years, extending beyond football players, wrestlers, and the "in crowd".

The first time I really knew who he was and what he meant to SJJ was my Freshman year, the day before the city league championship cross country meet, when he gave the team a memorable pep talk about how running is 100% mental, how we can do anything if we set our minds to it, and how he respected all of us for our hard work. Well, we lost the meet the next day, but after that motivational speech I went out there to win it, and I went out a lot faster than I would have otherwise. But I was an inexperienced freshman, and I dropped back about 8 places over the last mile or so of the race. The week leading up to the meet, I can remember our senior captain Wes Bombrys asking me where I thought I'd finish, and I told him that I hoped to be top 25. After that speech, I gave it all I could and ended up being second team all-city. He gave his great speech again this year, the day before the city meet, and I could see the freshman listening to his every word, and it's sad that they will be the last cc class to hear such a great man give his two cents.

I had Mr. Beier the spring semester of my freshman year, and I remember him and Mr. Kinney always betting on whose class would beat the other in battleball. It gave both sides motivation to not let their teacher down, and that was the most intense game of battleball I've ever been in. Later on in the year, the whole class was lining up for sight, hearing, and scoliosis testing, and I remember one of the kid's in Mr. Beier's class talking and talking when he wasn't supposed to be, and so Mr. Beier goes up to him and says something close to: "Son, I've tried being reasonable with you, but there's only one thing left to do with you. Give you a left hook", and then clenches his fist. I just knew Mr. Beier must have been laughing inside, and I know that it got the kid to quiet down.

As I knew him, Mr. Beier was a kind and funny man, though sometimes intimidating, like the time he told us that if a stray shot in battleball hit him, he would line up the thrower and the person they were throwing at along the wall and pelt them with basketballs. Of course, it took all of us until he actually got hit to realize that he was pulling our legs.

My condolences to the family of Mr. Beier, he was a great man that can never truly be replaced. We miss you Mr. Beier.

Chris Lemon
Class of '07

I had the pleasure of playing football for Fred, coaching football with Fred
and being one of his boys for over 35 years. All I can say is "WOW", how
did I get so lucky. My memories are many. Fred was not the head football
coach when I played for him but he was the head motivator. My best playing
memories of him were when he would get mad at the defense during practice
and line up as the scout team running back (of course with absolutely no
pads on) and tell the QB to give him the ball to see if "any of you pansies
on defense can tackle me". Unfortunately for the defense he was still
fairly young at the time and hadn't lost much of what had made him a great
college running back. After running through (not around) the defense
without being tackled he would throw the ball on the ground and eye each
member of the defense with that look of disgust that only Fred could give.
We got the message, but we still could never tackle him.

I coached with Fred one year at SJJ while he was still an assistant and John
Braucher was the head coach. At the age of 24 I learned how the pros did
it, drink beer that is. After every practice we would go to the priest's
quarters and "discuss strategy" around the keg. It was in this setting that
I got to know the real Fred Beier. One of the funniest and probably the
most caring person I have ever been privileged to know. Always on the
lookout for the kid that needed a little extra attention. Seeking them out
and making sure they knew he cared for them. He may have shown it by a
forearm to the chest while they were walking down the hall but that was his
way of saying "I know you and I care" and every kid knew it.

As one of his boys for 35 years I learned that Fred was also very
compassionate. Even though John Braucher had moved away years ago Fred
always kept in touch with him. When John was quite ill Fred tracked me
down, gave me John's phone number and told (didn't ask, he told) me that I
needed to call John before too long. I thought, what a great thing to do
for coach Braucher. After calling and talking to John I thought, what a
great thing Fred had done for me as well. I've often wondered how many
others he did this sort of thing for.

I will miss Fred greatly. But his spirit will live on through Sharon and
his family and in the lives of everyone he touched. God bless you Fred and
thanks for being part of my life.

Mark Jacoby '71

One more story I would like to relate about Fred. Six or seven years ago he called me out of the clear blue sky and asked me to stop by the school because he had something for me. I hadn't had the chance to talk to Fred much over the last several years and couldn't imagine what he had for me. When I walked into his office a few days later he handed me the 1970 Shoe Bowl runnerup trophy and said, "I was walking though the commons the other day and the school was cleaning out the trophy cases. I found this in the trash. The school has no idea how important this trophy is. This is the first football trophy St. John's ever won. It was your senior year I knew you'd want it. I want you to keep it until the school wants it back. Then give it back." I'm still waiting for the opportunity to honor his order to give it back.

Mark Jacoby '71

Mr. Beier was the first teacher I encountered at SJJ. I loved his class and I enjoyed watching him teach. I looked forward to his class and to who would be "picked out" for a joke, or for a stern "talking to". I remember always looking for his approval. If he gave you a compliment it has a huge deal and it meant so much. Because of the influence of a number of teachers at St. John's, I became a teacher myself and dedicated my life to education. Mr. Beier cared about kids. He sought out the kids on the fringe and made them feel a part of the whole. He spoke to them truthfully and what you saw was what you got. He inspired so many. I use his example as a goal. Each kid felt important in his presence. He will be missed. He didn't just utter a motto, he lived it. He was a man for others.

Patrick C. Hickey
Assistant Superintendent
Washington Local Schools

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of this great man. I was at St.
John's back in the early days of the school. One incident remains in my mind
about Fred, and it happened years after I had graduated.

I left Toledo more than 30 years ago due to college and career. I lost
contact with many of the people I knew at St. John's and never thought that anyone
would recollect who I was. Years after graduation, approximately 25 years or
so, I chanced to be at Mass at St.Patrick's of Heatherdowns. I saw Fred and
chuckled, thinking after all this time he would not recognize me. I was wrong.

He saw me and after Mass made a beeline for me! He asked me how I was doing
and where I was at the time. We had not spoken to each other since my
graduation and after all these years, he remembered me! I was more than amazed and the
experience was gratifying.

Something like that rarely occurs in this life, and that is the image of Fred
Beier I will keep with me.

Harlow Keith
Class of 1971

I have spent the week reflecting on what Coach Beier meant to us. I'm sure
with your compilation of stories you could write a novel. I feel very
fortunate to be part of his first year as head coach at St. John's. I have
always believed what we have learned out on the field is more important than
the class work we are required to learn. Coach Beier taught us about life:
He taught us how to prepare and work for a common goal, how to work
together, He made us competitive, He taught us how to win, and He taught us
how to be humble and on a few occasions, how to lose. My favorite was, He
taught us to be savvy.

I recall the Friday practice prior to the St.Francis game my senior year. I
could do nothing right and believe placed the blame elsewhere. Coach Beier
took his forearm to my head and had Scott Morcott replace me. Fortunately I
had my helmet on!! He did start me on Saturday and as you know we won the
remainder of our games that year. Coach Beier got the most out of his
Titans.

Sixty-one years is too short, but his legacy lives on with each and every
one of us he touched, everyday in the way we conduct our lives. In my eyes
there is no greater tribute.

Eric P. Bell

I didn't really play any sports for him,I just got to know him through gym class and other activities. He scared all of us at that first gym class. Fear gradually turned to respect and I remember thinking it was like having my Dad at school. He was tough,he was honest and it was clear that he cared about every one of us. In later years I realized how passionate he was about St. Johns. I want to thank you his family for helping him pursue that passion. I'm sure sacrifices were made on your part. I know that Mr. Beier spent many hours at the school. His passion will always inspire me,thank you again for sharing him with the St. John's community. I will continue to say prayers for Mr. Beier and you,his loving family.

Mike Claus, Class of 72

When you're from a family of "car guys", you never forget your driving
instructor. Now, I started driving go-karts when I was old enough to hang
onto the steering wheel and I learned to drive a real car, well... let's
just say younger than the law would like. So, by the time I was sixteen, I
was a pretty good driver. That's about when driver education time rolls
around.

Mr. Beier comes to our house in that ratty old grey Toyota Nova thing and I
slip behind the wheel. He must have picked up pretty quickly on the fact
that I already knew how to drive, because he directed me right down Eastgate
to The Trail and onto 475 - no side streets, no back roads, nothing. As
we're making the right onto 475 (the ramp by St. Luke's), he looks at me and
- in that tone of his - says, "Alright Quinn, where you been cheatin'?" I
looked at him and said, sweetly, "Why Mr. Beier, I have NO idea what you're
talking about." To which he replied, "Bull! Nobody's this good on the
first day."

Needless to say, we had a great time riding out to the fishing club, or
downtown to see the Coast Guard ships, and solving the ills of the world.
He didn't care who you or anyone else thought you were. He saw as much
greatness in the lowliest loner as the star player. The world would be a
better place with a few more like him.

Mike Quinn '92

Posted Friday, December 10, 8:45 am:

I will never forget the days I spent playing under Coach Beier. One practice after being particularly punished by the starting defense as a prep team running back, I was asked by Coach to stand up in front of the team. I was only a sophomore then, and I had no idea what to expect. He proceeded to recognize me for giving everything I had to get the team ready for the game that week, and he asked to see me in his office after practice. In typical Coach Beier fashion, he started the meeting with a ridiculous question: "Are you busy going to the square dance this weekend?" His face was completely serious, but I knew he was grinning inside. I told him that I wasn't busy, and he proceeded to hand me varsity jersey #27 for the road game to Indianapolis Cathedral that Friday.

I was proud as I walked out of his office that day, not just for earning the right to dress, but of gaining the respect of a man I highly respected. He represented a way of doing things the right way-- of never giving up-- old fashioned values that never go out of style. He stressed that each player had to contribute his very best for the team to be successful, from the starting quarterback down to guys like me who played a handful of downs that entire season. And during the time I was blessed to know him, I came to see under his gruff appearance a joker who deeply cared for his players and students.

My prayers go out to the whole family. I will miss you, Coach Beier.

-Brian Mickus
Class of 1999

I like many of you had the Fred for gym class for every year that I can
remember. I wasn't big into exercise at that time and had a much better time
" chewing the fat" with Fred. He would tell me about his stories of fishing and
the things that he liked to do outside of St. John's walls.

I had the opportunity to get to know Fred outside of class and my dad and I
had him and Tony up to Catawba Island one summer for a fishing tournament.
The waves were fierce that day and not many boats went out, we were one of the
boats that went out. I'll never forget how much fun that we had that day,
it might have been rough and alot of us might have gotten sick, but it was
great to hangout for the day with such a legend!

Fred truly was and is a legend. For those that had the opportunity to stand
next to him in the gym or by his side on the field, I personally can say
that I admired him. I never really like St. John's much at that time, but Fred
was one of those amazing guys that made anyone feel right at home and really
embodied the "Man For Others" slogan that so many of us tried to follow!

I would have graduated from St. John's in 1992, but my life went another way
and I left SJ after my Junior year. I have a few regrets in life, I regret
not playing football for Fred. Fred was constantly trying to get me to play,
but at the time, I'd rather be out on the boat at the lake and I think that
Fred understood that! Also, I saw Fred a few months ago at Lowe's on Airport
Hwy and I didn't take the time to talk to him like I should have, I am
saddened that I missed out on that opportunity.

I had the opportunity to spend sometime this afternoon with Sharon and Tony
at the funeral home, as I said to my mom, I certainly never thought that I
would be seeing Fred like this. He was an amazing man and a hero and mentor to
many, myself included!

God's Blessing on his family,

Scott Hilbert

As one of the many grateful guys who was with you from day one, in your style... Coach nice job all the way through. Jim Ragan '69

Little known fact -- If you stomped on the gas pedal hard enough you could override Fred's remote brake.

Mr. Beier made a difference in the lives of all Titans, even those of us who weren't athletes. He is such a part of the institution that is St. John's that he will never truly be gone.

Brian Niedzwiecki '87

I did not realize the impact he had on my life until today. After reading all of these memories on
the website and reflecting on high school, I came to a realization, Mr. Beier helped make me a better person. Whether he knew it or not he is why I tried as hard as I did in school and on the field. He is the one that made me realize that in order to make yourself better, you had to challenge yourself. He pushed me to be better. I always wanted to make him proud, to show him that I could do it. I wish that I would have appreciated him more when he was around because right now, I would give anything to hear him yell "Barth, get over here!".

Thank you Mr. Beier for everything. I will definitely tell stories about you and try to leave up to the standard you set as a human being.

Lastly, Mrs. Beier, Chris, Tony and Andy, thank you for sharing him with St. John's. He helped
change many a young boys' lives for the better.

Steve Barth
Class of 1995

Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear the news of Mr. Beier's
passing. He was always one of my favorite teachers at St. John's. He was
of course my phys ed teacher and drivers ed teacher but I remember him
most as my freshman wrestling coach. As others have said he could be
very intimidating at first but before long you knew he really cared
about all of us and wanted us to succeed.

Looking back I have to chuckle remembering us practicing in the locker
rooms (not the wrestling room but the locker rooms mind you) and most of
us had never wrestled before so at first none were doing anything he
wanted the right way. At times he definitely lived by the saying "if you
can't say anything nice... don't say anything..." because you could tell
he wanted to chew us out but thought better of it and just clenched his
teeth while explaining AGAIN how to do a particular move.

I first realized Mr. Beier was a really nice guy (all bark - very
little bite) when my parents came home from the first parent-teacher
conferences when I was a freshman. Even though I hadn't had Mr. Beier as
a teacher yet he did know me from freshman wrestling. When he saw my
parents looking a little lost in the commons he came up to them and
talked to them. I remember my parents saying that he had welcomed them
to the school as if they had been old friends. I took it as a compliment
when my parents told me that when they asked Mr. Beier about me he said
" He does what I tell him to - when I tell him to - which is more than I
can say for a lot of freshman!".

Give my condolences to his sons Tony and Chris who I knew and the rest
of his family.

James Antoszewski
Class of '88

No statement ever rang more true then: SJJ has lost part of of its soul on Monday. One experience stand out for me. It was drivers ed., On one of our frequent trips down rte. 20 coming back from Fremont, We were driving through the town of Woodville, Fred told the kid driving, (I was in the back seat), to speed up because we would be late getting back to school. Well for everyone who drives that stretch of road knows 25 mph in Woodville means 25 mph. Of course a police officer pulls us over and Fred is beside himself, he lets the kid now in no uncertain terms that he is on his own due to Fred and the police chiefs dislike for each other since childhood. The officer instructs all three students to get out of the car. He is reading the driver the riot act and informing him jail time my do him some good. At about that time, I realize Fred has gone behind the car because he couldn't keep a straight face and he began laughing. It turns out he was either buddies or related to the police chief. We ended up late to school because the kid refused to drive over 35 mph the rest of the way home. Fred didn't seem to care, he just giggled all the way back to school. We will all miss him.

Mike Smith 76'

Although it's been more than 30 years ago, I still vividly remember the
first time I met Fred Beier. In August 1973 Brendan Moynihan and I were
sitting in the gym bleachers waiting for the first day of freshman
football practice to begin. We were the first freshmen to arrive for
practice, and the varsity football players were walking through the gym
after their practice. Several of them were calling us freshman and
laughing at us--probably at our scrawny bodies. (At that point, no one
knew that Brendan was destined to earn a football scholarship to Notre
Dame.) Observing this, Coach Beier comes over and introduces himself.
After asking our names, Fred smiles and asks if we're tough enough to be
football players. We assure him that we are. In response, Fred says he
wants us to "hit" the next varsity player who laughs at us. Just then,
Jim Hollingsworth, a huge senior player who's about 6'5, 250 lbs, walks
by with a big grin on his face. (Jim later attends the Naval Academy on
a football scholarship.) Fred tells us that now's our chance to earn
some respect from the varsity football players. Brendan and I are
terrified, but Fred assures us that any player that harms us will have
to answer to him. Then he walks away with a wink and a broad smile,
while looking back to see what we do. Of course, Brendan and I meekly
sat there rather than taking on the biggest player on the varsity
football team.

I only played football for two years at St. John's and quit the
wrestling team during my sophomore year. After much prodding, Fred
convinced me to rejoin the wrestling team. He was the first one to
congratulate me when I won the City League wrestling championship at 167
lbs. in 1977. Without him, that's an achievement I wouldn't have
accomplished.

I've never forgotten his assertion that "athletics is 90% from the neck
up" and his insistence that his athletes always be mentally tough. He
also stressed the importance of discipline, loyalty, ethical principles,
and concern for others. He not only "talked the talk," but "walked the
walk" by setting a positive example for thousands of impressionable
adolescents on their path to becoming young men. The lessons Coach Beier
taught us have application beyond the playing field and live on in all
of us. As a teacher, I strive to follow his positive example and act as
a "man for others."

Matt Mitten ' '77

Beyond The Horizon

I am standing on the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an
object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to
mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, there she's gone." Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull
and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to
bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when
someone at my side says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes and
voices ready to take up the glad shout, "There she comes!"

And that is dying.

-anonymous

Mr Beier was by far and away my favorite person at SJJ in the 4 years I went
there. Everytime I thought about him after I graduated it would bring a
smile across my face. He use to try and bully all of us and act like he was
the toughest guy around and we all knew he was just putting a front on. He
was too nice of a person for anyone to fear him, always able to make me
laugh. I wrote an article to the sports writers of the Blade my freshman
year stating that I though Mr Beier should be the coach of the Detroit Lions
and they should fire Wayne Fontes. The next day when I got to school after
he had read it, he pulled me aside and all he said in a very stern voice
was, "You shouldn't have written that article about me and I'll tell you
why. Next time, you don't dare forget to include the rest of my coaching
staff" and he walks away with a serious look on his face. I may have been
afraid of him my freshman year but once I graduated he became my #1 person
at SJJ. I will truly miss him and my thoughts and prayers are with his
entire family.

Jon Perlman
Class of 98

On Monday evening, my husband and I went to dinner with my parents. My dad went on to tell story after story about Mr. Beier -- most of which I'd heard many times before, but which still sent me into hysterics every time I heard them. Although perhaps my most favorite Mr. Beier story is one I told my dad. When I was in high school, one of my friends who had Mr. Beier for health class called me up to ask me a question: Is it true that all women in the world have "that time of the month" at the same time? I laughed and asked him where in the world he heard that. He said that's what Mr. Beier told them, and that it had something to do with the phases of the moon. Our family will greatly miss Mr. Beier, and our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Beier, Tony, Chris & Andy.

Gina (Demarkowski) Saelinger

I had the extreme pleasure of having known Mr. Beier as a teacher, coach
(wrestling & football), friend and colleague. I can honestly say that he is
one of the truly GREAT men that I have ever been around. His unique ability
to positively affect others lives is something that I have marveled at.

Mr. Beier's style was totally unique. He had the ability to motivate through
sheer terror, followed by laughing his butt off. One of my better memories
was in his last year of coaching wrestling, I was a freshman. We packed
around 70 kids daily on 2 strips of wrestling mats in the boys locker room.
Needless to say every practice was pretty chaotic. Fred always coached from
his perch on one of the benches barking out orders. One day, he suddenly
stood up and starting patting his pockets furiously. He then yelled, "OK you
punks-stop". Terrified we all looked up. He stood there and wiped his faced,
obviously distraught, and yelled 'Who took my keys' then stared right at me
and said, 'Switlick I know it was you-see me after practice'. I about wet
myself. Well after practice I sheepishly went up to him expecting the worse.
Instead he gave me one of the best motivational speeches of my life. In so
many words telling me to stick with it because I could turn out to be good.
It hit me hard because I had been thinking about quitting up to that point.
And HE KNEW IT. Well I didn't quit and ended up being a varsity starter.
Even though I wanted to quit several times, I never did because I knew I
would let down coach.

I lot of who I am is because of what I learned at SJ. Mr. Beier being one of
the primary teachers of determination, goal setting, and character. I will
miss him deeply. My thoughts and prayers go out to his Family, friends, and
all who have been blessed to know him. The world lost a wonderful man.

Randy Switlick
Class of 89'

Posted Thursday, December 9, 10:30 am:

I went to elementary and high school in Fremont with Fred. (Sharon joined
us in the 9th grade.)

Of course Fred was an excellent athlete in high school, but even as a kid he
had a generous and inclusive spirit that he shared with everyone - including
the non-athletes, like me. Fred was proud of his football successes in high
school, but he never let his accomplishments get in his way. He was
consistantly a "nice" guy. He is one of those icons in life that create
the standard, and then you measure yourself and others by that standard.

-anonymous

I showed up on the doorsteps of St. John's High School in July of 1982 - a young, cocky, punk 16 year old transfer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Fred Beier was one of the first people I got to meet. When I told him I could punt a football he didn't say - how far? or what's your average? He said "spread your legs apart and let me see you put your palms flat on the ground". For Fred Beier this was a calculated move - but one that came from knowing people and knowing football. He not only knew that once he saw what kind of flexibility I had, it would give an indication of my potential to kick a football, but he also wanted to see how I would react. Most people who know Fred, know that when you first meet him, he is going to test you, to see what you are made of - but he is also watching you and evaluating how he can motivate and get the best out of you. Fred Beier was a motivator extraordinaire. I see that Tom Duggan, my good friend and classmate has already shared the "Piston Speech" story in his tribu

I loved Fred Beier - I owe very much of where I am today because Fred took the time to help me get into the US Air Force Academy. I also look back to my time as a Titan football player as a time when Fred was a second Dad to me.

Fred was one of the fairest coaches I ever had the privilege to play for - he is also one of the humblest human beings - he coached and taught many young men - and affected so many lives - but he would never want to take credit - but you could not miss the total pride that showed whenever he saw or talked to all of those boys that he helped shape into Men - Men for others.

Fred, we know you will always be with us - and we are eternally grateful for the time we had with you and all you did for us - and I can't wait to watch a football game in Beier Stadium some day soon!

Mark Swentkofske - Class of 1984
United States Air Force
Honolulu, Hawaii

I enjoyed reading the numerous accounts of Fred. As his nephew, I have been close to him for many years. It's unbelievable when I hear stories from my buddies' dads about Fred. He has been an icon at SJ for many years. He has obviously influenced countless students. Growing up, I took many of the things Fred cherished for granted. The Beier family is a very close family. Growing up, we would go to Grandma and Grandpa's farm in Fremont for Christmas Eve. Fred, on occasion, would play Santa. He played the part very well, as you can imagine. The cousins had the opportunity to experience Fred on a more personal level than many of the students. However, he was still Fred, always telling you some story that you weren't sure to believe.

As a kid, I remember Fred bringing the driver's ed students out to our house. We lived in the middle of the woods and had a pond that my dad regularly stocked with trout. Fred always liked to come out and see if they were biting. He would act like he didn't know who lived at the house and would tell the kids to get the car turned around in case anyone came out of the house screaming at them. Years later, I had the opportunity to have Fred as a driver's ed instructor. I learned a lot about the best fishing holes along the Maumee and the best places to buy bait. I also had Fred as a coach.

For four years, I don't know if I ever call him by name. I think "Uncle Fred" would have sounded out of place with the "Mr. Beier"s and "Coach"s. I remember him closing his eyes and taking that frustrated inhale through his nose as he ran his hand down across his face to try to relieve the steam that was building. He would say, "I never used to curse before I had to deal with you kids" and we would all snicker.

After I left SJ, I really learned Fred's dedication to the students. My dad talked about his trip with Fred and a number of students to Appalachia. As they built goat huts, I think the kids finally discovered Fred's one weakness: snakes. Later in the year, I received a phone call from an SJ student during a donation drive. After he gave his talk, he said, "Hold on there's someone that wants to say hi", and sure enough it was Fred. I no longer take the qualities Fred cherished for granted, and through his persistence, I'm sure many others don't either thanks to Fred.

We will miss him greatly, but I'm sure his memory will live on for years to come.

Jon Beier
Class of '93

Fred Beier was a great guy and my drivers ed instructor. The first time
behind the wheel Fred looked over to me and said, "There is only one rule:
If ya spill my coffee - you flunk!" So we started to pull out of the SJ
parking lot and the remote break (the break pedal that ran over to the
passenger's side of the car) was sticking and the car was jerking pretty
hard. I stopped the car and Fred got out and fixed it. When we started to
drive again he looked over to me and said, "Airplane pilots have hours of
boredom punctuated with a few seconds of total terror - I have hours of
total terror punctuated with a few seconds of boredom."

Fred took so many students driving that summer, that his left arm was a
dark coco brown from it resting on the car door with the window rolled
down. It literally looked like he dipped his right arm in wood stain.

We will miss Fred, and future Titans will miss out on knowing him.

Dan Wedding Ph.D. Class of '87

I went to St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Edgewood, Kentucky on Monday morning about 6:00 A.M. to have the last day with my nursing students in clinical. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Carl (Doc Demar) called me and sadly whispered over the phone that Fred had joined the other close people in our lives in heaven. Fred was one of the most compassionate men I have ever known.

My mind immediately flashed back to the first time I had met Fred and Sharon after Carl started teaching at St. John's. Fred asked me if we had any boys and I said no, two girls. "Oh, he said, we will have to see what we can do about that because they won't be able to play ball for us, but I'm sure there will be something for them sometime." And, he did make sure of that when he brought on our daughter Renee and Tom Cole's daughter Christy as water girls for the football team when they were about seven years old.
He always found a place for everyone in his heart and on the team.

Our family will always have the best memories of Fred and his family. They have touched our lives for many years and memories last forever.

Paulette (Mrs. Demar)

I will always remember when Mr. Urban came to my homeroom freshman year
to sign people up for wrestling. As he asked, Mr. Beier walked over to me,
looking me straight in the eye and said, "What about you Cherry, your father
wrestled for me." I looked back at him and sheepishly responded that I
played soccer during the winter. He called me a wimp and walked away.

The next spring I was cut from soccer and played football. He welcomed me with
open arms. I think he know I was going to be there. Something about Mr.
Beier made you gravitate towards him. We feared him as he walked the
halls, but he turned us into men. After all, who else could we fear?

Nick Cherry '00

I remember one time after school when I was waiting for my ride Mr. Beier
walked by. apparently a table had offended him because he threw a glare at it
and it promptly collapsed. It just shows how much influence he had on the
school, even the tables listened to him.

Mr. Beier was an inspiration to so many individuals at St. John's. His dynamic sense of humor, deep passion for success, and love for the game was contagious to all of those around him. I had always admired his outstanding ability to coach a competitive and victorious football team for many years. My dad has lost a good friend and St. John's has lost a legacy. My prayers are with the Beier family. God bless.
Anne Marie Demarkowski
(Doc's daughter)

The memories of Mr. Beier are numerous for me. As my older brother entered
SJ in '72, and our family was introduced to a man and his family who touched
so many of the lives in our family. As I was only three at the time, the
early years we vague, but the "legend" of Mr. Beier was well known. By the
time I was 7, my brother Bob was a senior, and my other brother Pat, a
junior. I had spent the last five years growing up under the bleachers and
on the wrestling mats always keeping an eye out for Mr. Beier. If you think
the freshman were terrified of him, to a 8 year old, you could only imagine.

My brother Mike started at SJ the next year, and thus started four more
years of Mr. Beier tormenting. Since Mike was in football and wrestling
with Mr. Beier, you could only imagine how many times he would see me and
pull something on me, make a comment, or challenge me. By this time I was
starting to wrestle in Jr High and he would always grab me and ask me where
the meat was, because only a true wrestler would have some meat on those
bones, so therefore, I couldn't be a wrestler. A few years later, at the
age of 13, I started myself at SJ, ten years after the first time I met him.

There was no way I was going to hide from this man, not after three brothers
prior to me. It started from the first day of football, of course.
"Klever, what are you doing here? Have our standards gotten so low that they
let anyone in? Really, just for that, give me two laps at the end of
practice and I will speak to the administration about this obvious clerical
error in the test results."

There was always a challenge in him, it was
always a challenge to become better and not settle for average. He would
stop you anywhere, and make sure you were on the right track and staying out
of trouble. By the time I was a senior, our stories had become legends to
the unsuspecting freshmen. His posture and gestures were well imitated by
us now. The pulling of the shorts around the waist, the hand wiping his
head, the keys in his ears, and the story of another freshmen getting
suckered. When all was said and done, there was a smirk on his face, and a
final "you did good Klev, you did real well". As many have commented, he is
a man who has touched generations, myself included.

Chris Klever '87

I was saddened by the news about Coach Beier and would like to pass on OUR
thoughts and prayers to the Beier family from the Duggan family.

Coach Beier was such an inspirational force at St John's and he truly
believed in his students and players, especially if you proved to him that
you gave it your all.

While at St. John's I was fortunate enough to play for Coach Beier and he
indeed made an impression. I remember one football practice (Fall '83)
that I was arguing with one of the defensive coaches over a coverage
rotation and Fred backed me up and not the other coach. He trusted my
judgement as a player and stuck with me the rest of the year. That meant a
lot to a 17 year old kid and stuck with me for life.

Coach Beier had so many "true stories" and inspirational speeches, but one
that sticks out the most was when we were playing Maumee HS my senior
year. We were in the locker room before the game and he was given the
"pistons drive the engine" speech, pounding his fists, face all red and
pumping everyone up. It was awesome ! He had everyone so fired up that
we didn't know what to do when we hit the field. Maumee drove right down
the field and scored, and the coaches were shocked. He straightened us
out right away and we did win the game. I just laugh thinking back to
that moment and how we got smoked on the first drive. He made everyone
feel we could accomplish anything that day and I still get fired up
thinking about that speech. His coaching style and relationship with the
players is the main reason why I have been coaching football in a Chicago
city league for the past three years and I thank Coach Beier for giving
that to me.

As an alumni, I will definitely miss seeing Coach Beier at the golf outings
riding around in a cart, telling his stories and hearing how proud he was
of his sons and of his time at St. John's.

His contribution and dedication to St. John's goes beyond just naming a
scholarship or an award after him. The St. Johns' community needs to
dedicate an entire school wing to him or FINALLY build an SJ football
stadium with his name ... "Beier Field."

He was part of a lot of memories for so many people and will be definitely
be missed walking the halls of St. John's.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Beier family.

Tom Duggan
Class of '84

Mr. Beier was a great man not just to me, but to everyone who went to St. John's regardless if you had him or not. The jokes that he would play on people were the highlights of his years at St. John's, but little to some know that this man had a side of him that just seemed like he wanted to have someone sit down and listen to him. Many can relate to the times when he would point at you and give a signal to come over and talk to him. This would be just one of those ways he would hook you into a conversation, but after you began to answer one of his questions he would just get up and leave. Those were the great times when he left you were so confused about what just happened that you just have to laugh. This past semester I had sixth period free so I would be wondering the school looking for someone to talk to and I would end up talking to Mr. Beier. He shared with me his views on the Toledo City League organization and other things oriented with football. The one major point he stressed with me was not to quit. Even though I was small I had heart and that if I put all I had in to what ever I did I would succeed and maybe even make All-City. He gave me that little extra confidence and it ended up that I had made All-City honorable mention as a junior. I do not believe that what I have set out to do has been accomplished and the bar was set even higher by the encouraging words of Mr. Fred Beier.

I will not forget,
Andy Borgia '06

Bad news travels fast. Tragic news travels faster. By lunchtime Monday morning
I had umpteen e-mails on the news of Fred's death.

How is it I can be 45 years old and still want to call him Mr Beier when I
saw him at the golf outings or SJ events.I can still recall him telling a
bunch of us from the football team that when we graduated from SJ,we were
men and that we should call him Fred .I never quite got comfortable doing so.

I have many memories.

As a seventh grader hearing about these summer gym nights where you could
play basketball,left weights or just watch older kids like Rick Packo and I
did.Then actually meeting Fred and having him take an interest in you and
what sports you played and telling us how could we even be thinking about
going to St Francis-those bunch of pansies he would say.

Years later,our class of 1977 was the first SJ football team to win the
shoe bowl .SJ went to shoe bowl all four years but finally won as
seniors.That night after the shoe bowl,Joe McCormick had a little get
together at his house,all the coaches came.It was fun but what I really
remember was looking at Fred at some point in the evening and seeing the
unmistakable look of satisfaction of a goal reached on his face.Same with
the others but somehow different. How could we have possibly appreciated some
of the first years of the school losing like he and Braucher and the other
coaches did? And finally to win it. Young kids like us could not have
understood.

Drivers ed-we had some great talks during these times.Plus I saw Greg Kelly
become the only known drivers ed student to get a speeding ticket.Oh,Fred
was not happy with Greg

I learned the lesson of hard work and perseverence but mostly believing in
myself from Fred.I was not a good athlete by any means but loved sports and
did play football all four years as a backup this or that.I was one of those
guys on the freshman and JV team with the old SJ jerseys if you can remember
these.I tried wrestling to toughen up and it was unbelievably tough.But
heres the memory-there is a tournament at SJ and I get talking to some guys
from another team and they tell me the guy I am wrestling is unbelievably
strong and had pinned everyone all the way to a championship in some earlier
tournament.I went out there and although my intial shot took him down and on
his back,about 30 seconds later I was pinned.Fred ,not even the freshman
coach but there,runs up to me afterward and told me he overheard the talk in
the locker room and knew I had given up before match started-and he was
right.He sat me down and talked about how in this world,now or later in
whatever we do,if you don't believe in yourself,no one else will and I
better get over it unless I wanted to lose or fail at a lot more than a
wrestling match.I never forgot it.I never wrestled after that but did try my
hardest in sports and school after that.What I have done in my life pales in
comparison to anything Fred accomplished-and for that matter most of the
faculty and staff of SJ-but I did face my share of adversity and I faced it
and got through it with a belief in myself that I learned from Fred

Fred I hope you are right now having a beer with John Braucher in Heaven
discussing who was really responsible for that great team we had in 1976.God
bless you and Mrs Beier and the boys.

Kevin Brennan
Class of 1977

Upon reading the notice a few minutes ago, my first reaction was that of
numbness. How could this be? Mr. Beier has been an icon at St. John's.
But then, I recalled fondly his many jokes he played on his gym classes.
Most memorable was the OSU-Michigan game and the threats he made about
having the losing team run. It's memories like that that will always stick
with me and become part of the experience, as well as, the stories that will
be passed on. Mr. Beier became the inspiration for me to be involved in the
St. John's sports program when I ran the mile time-trial he setup in the
spring. Having not run much in the past he was excited about my time and
pushed for me to start the track. After moving onto cross country I found
my niche and will forever remember ho