Obituary of James George Beierlein

James George Beierlein, 69, State College, died Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center. He suffered from a lung disease called sarcoidosis, which affected several areas of his body. After contracting pneumonia in February, it began to grow in his lungs after being dormant for almost 30 years. Jim was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church since moving to State College in 1977. He enjoyed fishing, reading, teaching, being out of doors, traveling and spending time with his family and friends. Jim was born February 20, 1947 in Summit, NJ to the Late James Gough and Helen Edith Beierlein. He grew up in Madison and Morristown, NJ. He is survived by his wife Jean, of almost 40 years, whom he met while at Purdue University. Jim is also survived by his two children, and their spouses, Julie and Henry from Vanuatu in the South Pacific and Jimmy and Jill, of Charleston, SC; four grandchildren, Jordan John, Claire June, Mark James and James David; sister, Jill Johnson and her husband, Mike of Ellicott City, MD; brother in law, Danny Mushrush and his wife Jayne of Gilman, Illinois; and nephews and nieces, Scott, Craig and Mark Johnson, Chris Mushrush, Emily Gernand, Jamie Hart and Casey Knoll. Jim received his B.S. and M.S. from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. from Purdue University majoring in Agricultural Economics. He was a Full Professor of Agricultural Economics at Penn State University, planning to retire at the end of June with Emeritus status. He taught Agriculture Business Management for over 39 years to a large number of students. He helped develop the online course for Agribusiness and was working on the effort to put the whole agribusiness management program online in the next two years. Jim served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant, serving in South Vietnam (1971-1972), and was awarded a Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medals for his service. He received a Penn State Alumni Teaching Fellow award which is Penn State's top teaching honor; was selected by the United States Department of Agriculture for National Outstanding Teacher Award; selected by the American Agricultural Economics Association for its Outstanding Teaching Award; Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Teacher award; College of Agriculture Science Academy for Teaching Excellence; and the PSU Barash Human Services Award for his contributions to the community. He served on the State College Borough Water Authority from 1992-2002. He was a Church Board member and Chairman of Episcopal Campus Ministry at Penn State, 1998 to 2013; board member and Chairman of the Board of the Penn State Federal Credit Union from 1979 to present; and an Adult Leader with the Boy Scouts of America, 1992-2013. Jim has published 10 textbooks, one of which is used worldwide. The family would like to thank the staff at the Mt. Nittany Medical Center, Juniper Village at Brookline and Omni Health Care for their excellent care of Jim over the past several months. Thank you to all of his friends and co-workers who came to visit with him. A big thank you to Father Doug Dailey of St. Andrews Episcopal Church for all of his support during the past several months. Memorial Service will be on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 208 W Foster Ave, State College, at 10:00 AM, with Father Doug Dailey officiating. Following the Service there will be a Celebration of his Life at the church for everyone to attend. Burial will be at Spring Creek Presbyterian Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Lung Association, 209 E. Beaver Avenue, State College, PA 16801, in Jim's Memory or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.