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Bernard Christ Beitel 1918 - 1989

Bernard Christ Beitel of 529 W Union Blvd, in Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania United States was born on May 23, 1918 at 529 West Union Boulevard in Bethlehem, Northampton County to Edward Eugene Beitel and Caroline Maude (Christ) Beitel. Bernard was baptized at Central Moravian Church 73 W Church St, in Bethlehem. He married Miriam Estella Beitel on August 1, 1937 at Central Moravian Church: Sanctuary 400 Main Street, in Bethlehem, Northampton County, and had children Sydney Bernard Beitel, Nancy Ruth (Beitel) Beitel-Vessels, and Leland Roy Beitel. Bernard Beitel died at age 71 years old on November 7, 1989 at St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem Campus 801 Ostrum St, in Bethlehem, and was buried in November 1989 at Nisky Hill Cemetery 254 E Church St, in Bethlehem, Northampton County.
Bernard Christ Beitel
Bernie
529 W Union Blvd, in Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania 18018, United States
May 23, 1918
529 West Union Boulevard in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, 18018, United States
November 7, 1989
St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem Campus 801 Ostrum St, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18015, United States
Male
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Bernard Christ Beitel's History: 1918 - 1989

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  • Introduction

    My Grandfather was one of the most talented musicians I have ever known.
  • 05/23
    1918

    Birthday

    May 23, 1918
    Birthdate
    529 West Union Boulevard in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania 18018, United States
    Birthplace
  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Pop-pop's Family were some of the original Moravian settlers of the American British Colony here in Pennsylvania. The Areas of Nazareth, Schoeneck, Bethlehem, and Emmaus in particular.
  • Nationality & Locations

    Pop-pop was born at home at 1128 West Market Street Bethlehem, PA. This home had been built for his mother as a wedding present from his father. At the time the area was known as Mt. Airy Park.
  • Early Life & Education

    Pop-pop graduated from Bethlehem (Liberty) High School and the Ernest Williams School of Music in Brooklyn, New York, majoring on cornet and trumpet. He also attended the Ernest Williams Summer Camp in Saugerties, NY. The premise of the Ernest Williams School of Music was to offer students comprehensive training in the field of music on a variety of instruments, provide experience with the theoretical and practical aspects of music, and work in ensemble settings that emphasized equally band and orchestra repertoire. In 1930, the school extended its activities, adding an eight-week summer session, held annually in the Catskill Mountains in Saugerties, New York. The school gained a reputation for producing skilled musicians who became successful professional musicians. A number of noteworthy composers lectured, taught, conducted, and/or had their works premiered at the Ernest Williams School, including Percy Grainger, Ferde Grofé, Henry Cowell, and Morton Gould. In 1931, Ernest S. Williams was elected to the American Bandmasters Association and, in 1983, he was posthumously installed in the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors
  • Baptism

    mm/dd/yyyy
    Baptism date
    Central Moravian Church 73 W Church St, in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania 18018, United States
    Place of worship
  • Religious Beliefs

    Pop-pop was raised as a member of the Moravian Church as had his forbears for at least two prior centuries. The Moravian Church was the first Protestant religion. For the Moravians, music has always been seen as a necessity of life, not as a luxury. Moravians have always used their music to express their faith, to communicate their faith, and to enjoy each other’s company, and continue to do so today. The musical heritage of the Moravians is a living tradition that is still evolving. The Moravian tradition of the trombone choir continues today with trombone choirs in various Moravian communities and in the church bands active in most Moravian congregations. Pop-pop was baptized at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem. I always saw him as very spiritual and attended services. When I would have trouble sleeping, Pop-pop would rest his hand on my forehead. I was always able to sleep peacefully thereafter. After I was an adult, my mother later shared that he was saying prayers whilst he did this.
  • Military Service

    Unfortunately, as a youngster while using a awl on leather, he lost control and slipped and damaged his eye; causing him lose the vision in that eye. He had a glass eye. So he was not able to join the military.
  • Professional Career

    Music store owner, soloist, band member, conductor are the ones that spring to mind.
  • Personal Life & Family

    Bernard (Bernie) Christ Beitel Pop-pop graduated from Bethlehem (Liberty) High School and the Ernest Williams School of Music in Brooklyn, New York, majoring on the cornet and the trumpet. He also attended the Ernest Williams Summer Camp in Saugerties, NY. Pop-pop owned music stores in Bethlehem where he mainly taught brass instruments. Though instruction in pretty much any instrument was available. He desired to spread the love of music to as many persons as possible. Parents could pay off the cost of an instrument over long, extended periods of time. Music instructions books could be given free-of-charge to help out those families who were struggling financially. A renown cornet and trumpet soloist, Pop-pop was Assistant Conductor and soloist with the Marine Band of Allentown and with the Bethlehem American Legion Band. He was conductor of the Bethlehem Municipal Band for over twenty years (1968-1989). POp-pop performed with the Allentown Symphony, the Harrisburg Symphony, the Bethlehem Bach Choir, and the Handel Society ( just to name a few of the musical organizations to which he contributed). He played, then also conducted, the Central Moravian Trombone Choir (now Bethlehem Area Moravian Trombone Choir) for almost 60 years. He met Professor Charles Noll in the 1950’s when he walked into Pop-pop’s Music Store. Professor Noll presented his idea of having families of all generations play music together; especially marches, classical, and religious repertoire. Bernie knew just the avenue to approach - the Moravian Churches in the Lehigh Valley. Bernie contacted the Moravian ministers in each church in order to introduce Professor Noll, and to lay out their plan. The Moravian Symphony in Brass and Reeds was born! Rehearsals were held in the Christian Education building in Bethlehem. Bernie was the Assistant Conductor and cornet soloist with the group. Children received music instructions, often alongside their parents and grandparents. Members gladly picked up long-forgotten instruments to play together on Friday evenings. Bernie frequently purchased the music for the group, made instrument repairs, helped to purchase two tympani, and replaced broken drum heads by soaking the animal skins in the household bathtub to soften them! Pop-pop was very invested in the Kiwanis Club. Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and offering guidance.
  • 11/7
    1989

    Death

    November 7, 1989
    Death date
    Cancer/ Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
    Cause of death
    St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem Campus 801 Ostrum St, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
    Death location
  • 11/dd
    1989

    Gravesite & Burial

    November 1989
    Funeral date
    Nisky Hill Cemetery 254 E Church St, in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania 18018, United States
    Burial location
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Fondly remembered
One of the many, many things I miss about my grandfather, was how he was always willing to engage with us. In this particular memory, I was fairly young; perhaps 8 or 9 at the time. I was very excited because I had just gotten a new purple bicycle that had a banana seat, my sister (who was 2 years younger )had a very small bicycle with training wheels, and my brother (Who is 3 years younger) had a little tricycle. I wanted Pop-pop to share my bike and ride it, so he did. And then nothing would do for my siblings but to have Pop-pop ride their bikes as well. And bless his heart, Pop-pop did. A more kind, gentle, or caring man I may never know. It is still so very hard not to have him here so share my life with.
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Bernard Beitel's Family Tree & Friends

Marriage

Miriam Estella Beitel

&

Bernard Christ Beitel

August 1, 1937
Marriage date
Central Moravian Church: Sanctuary 400 Main Street Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, 18018 United States
Marriage location
Together
Status
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Friendships

Bernard's Friends

Friends of Bernard Friends can be as close as family. Add Bernard's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
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1 Follower & Sources
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