Dr. Kenneth D. Beer

Dr. Kenneth D. Beer, 71, of Milford, died of sepsis on Saturday, January 20, at Goshen General Hospital.
Ken was born in Goshen, Indiana, on February 10, 1946, to Maurice and Elinor “Betty” (Rassi) Beer. He was raised on a dairy farm three miles south of Milford with his siblings Sue, Judy, and Dave. After graduating from Milford High School in 1964, he went on to study at Indiana University, Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, and Arizona State University, eventually earning his Ph.D. in psychology.
On November 20, 1966, he married Lynne M. Aeschliman of Bluffton. Ken and Lynne were longtime residents of Milford, Indiana, where they built a home on Ken’s boyhood farm. There they raised three children: Jeremy, Jonah, and Amanda. Ken founded the Beer School of Real Estate in 1975, and thanks to his passion for teaching it became one of the leading real estate schools in the state. He also worked for many years as a marriage and family counselor.
During his adult life, Ken traveled literally around the world, visiting such far-flung countries as Morocco, Thailand, Tahiti, and Costa Rica with his wife and family. He was a highly engaged father who coached Little League, taught Sunday School, and spent many hours outdoors with his children. Later, he doted on his five grandchildren; at his house, toys and candy knew no limits. He will be fondly remembered for his extraordinary generosity, remarkably active listening, shock of white hair, and unparalleled love of gadgets, Pizza King, and Leman’s mints.
Ken was preceded in death by his wife Lynne. He is survived by three children: Jeremy (Kara) of Phoenix, Arizona; Jonah (Sara) of Napa, California; and Amanda Woodiel (Tom) of Goshen; five grandchildren: Jack, Eli, Joseph, Irene, and Mary Flannery Woodiel of Goshen; and three siblings: Susan Schieler of Milford; Judy Kitson of Syracuse; and David Beer of Middlebury.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24 at the Mishler Funeral Home at 461 W. 900 North, Milford. A graveside service will be held following the visitation at Milford Cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory be made to Heifer International (www.heifer.org).