About the Author
Beverly Johnson Biehr
Beverly Johnson explains her name’s origin, given by her parents who liked it from a neighbor’s child. “Beverly” means “flowering meadow,” fitting her love for flowers and her country roots. Her surname, Johnson, was Americanized from Jonsson at Ellis Island when her Swedish and German grandparents immigrated to the U.S. as needed farmers. Beverly kept her maiden name for professional reasons until marrying at forty-five and taking her husband’s surname, Biehr.
Married to Harold (Harry) for thirty-eight years, Beverly interviewed him for insights into the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention for her memoir, “Casualties of Peacemaking.” Harry, a city of Chicago employee, had two grown children when they married, and they later adopted two children from Chile. Beverly and Harry are proud of their blended family of four children.
Education, Career, and Personal Pursuits
I’ve spent ten years total studying full-time (without student loans because of working, scholarships,
parents’ help, and much lower tuitions). I worked full-time for thirty-eight years in four career fields (dietetics, teaching, teacher resourcing, and Methodist pastor) and two different part-time jobs after retirement. Working with four races and nationalities in Chicago and in Mexico, I’ve learned a second language with proficiency and a third language conversationally, also traveled to 34 countries on four continents and forty-seven states in the USA. My other favorite pastimes are visiting family and friends, reading, writing, and music of all kinds.
Book writing
The passion of my “retirement years,” is definitely not fun and games. It has only been possible because of two writers’ groups, write on Hoosiers and Florida Writers Association, and the people I’ve contacted who let me share their stories.
Author's motto in life:
Ask questions, listen to what people say, build bridges, do your best to make the world a better place, and love the people life gives you to love.
