Bernard Edward Beidel

Bernard Edward Beidel, 66, born February 12, 1950, passed away with family at his side on February 9th, 2017. Bern is survived by his loving wife of nearly 42 years, Donna; his daughters, Jessica (Matthew) Hinders and Cynthia (Jonn) Aitken; grandchildren Lily Hinders, Alexander Aitken, and Emmett Hinders; siblings, Thomas (Paulette) Beidel, Barbara Beidel (Toni Miller), Lawrence (Sherry) Beidel, and Edward (Deborah) Beidel. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Cecelia Beidel. For 26 years, Bern served as Director of the Office of Employee Assistance at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the House, he developed the Employee Assistance Program for the New Jersey State Police in 1981 and managed the service throughout the 1980s. Prior to his employee assistance career, Bern served as a Drug and Alcohol Educator with the U.S. Coast Guard during his military career in the early 1970s. He has been a Certified Employee Assistance Professional since 1987 and previously served as a Commissioner with the Employee Assistance Certification Commission, the professional body responsible for overseeing the credentialing of employee assistance professionals internationally. Bern was honored with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Employee Assistance Professionals Association. Bern has been published and awarded for his extensive contribution in the employee assistance field and was a frequent presenter at regional and national conferences. Additionally, he was a faculty member at the Eastern and Western Management Development Centers of the federal Office of Personnel Management, where he taught in the crisis leadership program. He holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh with a specialization in rehabilitation counseling and alcoholism studies. Bern was the 2016 recipient of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education Departmental Alumni Award from the Department of Psychology in Education. Bern lived his life helping others and inspiring those around him. He gave the gift of humor, love, spirituality, and kindness to all he encountered. He is a true gift to life and love and his memory will live forever. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 15, at 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, February 16, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 13807 Poplar Tree Road, Chantilly, VA 20151. The service will be followed by a reception from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. at Waterford at Fair Oaks, 12025 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax, VA 22033. Bern will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Memorial donations can be sent to The Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, c/o Ralph H. Hruban, M.D., 600 N. Wolfe Street, Carnegie 417, Baltimore, MD 21287 or Click here to donate online.

Bernard Edward Beidel

February 12, 1950 - February 9, 2017