Name: Visitation for PETER H. BEISHEIM Ph.D.
Start: 2018-10-03T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-10-04T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Kane Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Easton

BEISHEIM, Peter H., Ph.D. Age 77, a resident of Easton for the past 48 years, passed away peacefully under the care of his family on Friday, September 28, 2018 at home. He was the husband of Elizabeth M. "Betty" (Heffernan) Beisheim for 52 years. Born in Boston, a son of the late Henry E. and Helen M. (Roberts) Beisheim, he was raised in Everett and was a graduate of Everett High School. Peter began his college studies at St. John's Seminary in Brighton where he received a Bachelor's degree while studying to be a priest. He furthered his education at Boston State College earning a Master's Degree in Education and after he was accepted to Notre Dame University where he earned a Master's Degree in Theology. He completed his education at Fordham University in New York earning his Ph.D. in Theology. A faculty member of Stonehill College since 1968, Peter worked as a Professor of Religious Studies and was the former Director of the College's Institute for Justice and Peace from 1979-2005. Peter was an active member of the College Theology Society and serves on the Justice and Peace Advisory Committee of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. In his early years of teaching he taught courses on Death, Dying and Bereavement leading to his involvement in Hospice and co-founding Old Colony Hospice which serves various communities on the South Shore. His hobbies include kayaking, reading and traveling. In addition to his wife Betty, he is survived by his children, Katherine Beisheim of Mashpee and Paula Beisheim of Bridgewater; his siblings, Catherine Beisheim of Everett and Marie Sherman of Malden; and several nieces and nephews. He was also the father of the late Stephen Beisheim and brother of the late Robert Beisheim. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral from Kane Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 605 Washington Street (Rte.138) EASTON, on Thursday at 9:45 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Chapel of Mary, Stonehill College, Easton, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Easton. Visiting hours in the funeral home on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Donations in Peter's memory may be sent to the Stephen Beisheim Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Stonehill College, 320 Washington Street, Easton, MA. 02356; or to Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA. 02356 For directions or condolences visit www.kanefuneralhome.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Sep. 30 to Oct. 1, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for PETER BEISHEIM

27 Entries

Scott Halet

November 7, 2019

When I was studying Humanities as an adult student at Stonehill College, Dr Beisheim was my adviser on my thesis comparing Jewish treatment on death and dying with Christianity. Now, as I am dealing with the same issue in my life, my mother just passed away last night, a book he referred to by Kubler Ross detailing the stages of grief comes back to me. Dr. Beisheim will always live on in his students and families memories due to his kind demeanor and fantastic approach to teaching.

Richard Lux

January 9, 2019

Quite by accident, I saw Peter's name in the Winter "Notre Dame Magazine". Peter and I were classmates in the M.A. program in Theology at Notre Dame (1965-1967) where we both received our M.A.'s in Theology in 1967.
We lived only a couple of blocks apart and used to walk together along Notre Dame Avenue to breakfast in the ND dining hall every morning. And we became good friends during those years. When we graduated I lost touch with "Pete" as I stayed on to work on a Ph.D. in Scripture in the new program just begun at ND I remember him as a lively, warm and inquisitive person. We had many long talks during those years. I went on to marry Mary Price (a ND Librarian in 1968) and taught Hebrew Scripture and Pauline Literature at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, WI (a Milwaukee suburb) until my retirement in 2010. Have been working with the Jewish community over 40 years and continue to do so having been to Israel 13+ times, studied there and wrote a book on "The Jewish People, the Holy Land and the State of Israel: a Catholic View". Would have enjoyed reconnecting with Peter - alas that will have to wait. My sympathy to his wife, children and friends. . . as my Jewish friends say "May his name be a Blessing for us". Indeed it is !
Shalom,
Dr. Richard Lux

James S

October 9, 2018

Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one. May the family find some comfort from the God of all comfort. Isa.61:1,2

David O'Brien

October 7, 2018

Peter was a good friend and an inspiring supporter of our church and its mission in and for the human family. I benefited from his friendship and his always enthusiastic knowledge of Catholic social teaching and pastoral practice. My heart goes out to his family, to his colleagues at Stonehill and to the many people who cared for him. Dave O'Brien, College of the Holy Cross

Nancy Savoie

October 4, 2018

Professor Beisheim was a wonderful teacher and mentor. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Nancy Stack Savoie class of 1977

Victor Ortiz

October 3, 2018

Peter was the most dynamic and inspiring professor I ever had at Stonehill. He challenged me and was the person who helped me get involved with the Hispanic Community in Brockton.
I was a School Adjustment Counselor for 31 years in the Brockton Public Schools, and thanks to Dr. Beisham,i I had the most rewarding career anyone would hope to achieve.

My thoughts and prayers are with Betty and the Beisham Family.A737j

October 3, 2018

I had Dr. Beishiem for courses at Stonehill, late 70's. Especially "Death and Dying" Never will forget him. what a wonderful teacher and man. Joe Rondeau, '79

Aline Sammut

October 3, 2018

Marie,
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and peace surrounded by your loved ones.Aline

Rose Litwinczuk

October 2, 2018

RIP Professor, happy to have known you.

Paul Gastonguay

October 2, 2018

Peter was truly an exceptional man. I always enjoyed talking with him about anything. He will be sorely missed. Betty, I'm so, so sorry that you are going through this. Stay strong.

Jacqueline Lavin

October 2, 2018

He was my academic advisor and one of my favorite professors in the religious studies department at Stonehill. Such an intelligent, passionate, hardworking man. I send my condolences to friends and family. May he rest peacefully in God's arms.

Craig Higgins

October 2, 2018

A man of quiet and passionate character: sensitive, thoughtful, and generous; he stood for justice, created an ecumenical spirit of true inclusiveness, and was a beloved colleague. Stonehill was indeed fortunate to have his gifts.

Kathy Pellegrini

October 2, 2018

My deepest sympathy Betty and family....He was the sweetest and nicest man....God bless

Susan Pawlak-Seaman

October 1, 2018

I took Prof. Beisheim's "Death and Dying" course in the early 1970s. It may sound strange --- given the name and the subject matter --- but it was one of my all-time favorite courses at Stonehill. By teaching about dying, Prof. Beisheim taught us about living. --- Susan Pawlak-Seaman

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Arthur Eddy

October 1, 2018

My condolences to the family. Even though, sadly, I never got to speak to Peter (or Tom Clarke, Mr. Curran, Fr. Hurley, etc.) again after leaving STonehill, I hope they knew that the vibrant life they taught us about, still lives on in multiples. After I left Stonehill I continued on my studies and doctorate at a famous Ivy League University. Inspired by them, I have become a Catholic Medical Missionary in impossibly remote and impoverished Haiti. In the next few months we will open a dental clinic for 50,000+ people at the Bishop Sullivan Hospital. They have never had a dentist there. I feel fulfilled and have made a down payment on my Stonehill education and what Peter and so many others inspired in me! Through them I have found the Meaning of my Life. Inspired by Peter and Stonehill.

StephanieAnne Thompson, Class of 1993

October 1, 2018

I am grateful to have the blessing of being one of Professor Beisheim's students. He was my adviser as I combined a Religious Studies degree with International Relations. I give thanks for his open heart, caring nature and great capacity as a teacher. I am a pastor and have been a hospice chaplain- and of course, his class on Death and Dying made a deep impact on me. May memories bring comfort and hope. May God's grace abide with all who mourn this gentle man.

Barbara Martin

October 1, 2018

I am so sorry to learn of Professor Beisheim's passing. He was one of the best and one of my favorite instructors at Stonehill. I remember him with great fondness as he taught his students the art of thinking outside the confines of text books. I continue to admire his passion for teaching to this day.

Katie Dougherty

October 1, 2018

Pete Beishem was a wonderful teacher, a resource for religious questioning, and made himself available to students on campus in many areas. I was a
student in the early 70's and took several classes with him that are still with me today, including the Death and Dying class. That was groundbreaking in our day, and still relevant in all basic aspects today. My sympathies to his family and to the Stonehill community at his passing, as he will be sorely missed. He lived his beliefs openly and to great effect on others. Rest in peace, Pete, you have earned it.

Dick B

October 1, 2018

Rest in Peace, Detore; now you know the answers to all questions Eternal. Thank You...

Barbara Bingham

October 1, 2018

Sorry to hear of the passing of Prof. Beisheim. I was a student in his "Death and Dying" course at Stonehill College. He was a very thought-provoking teacher. Peace to his family at this sad time. God bless.

Margaret Geanakakis

October 1, 2018

Such a nice man and teacher when I attended Stonehill, 70s to 80s. May his memory be eternal.

Tricia Fagan

October 1, 2018

Professor Beisheim was my professor during the joyful, tumultuous early 70s (71 - 75). We didn't know then that his thoughtful, inspiring course on Death and Dying was groundbreaking, we took for granted the probing readings and deep conversations he so expertly and generously guided. One of my favorite memories was of sitting in the dining room at Bob and Pan Hardina's home (I was lucky enough to live there our junior year!) listening to Pete and Bob share stories about their travels in the US South to record sermons in traditionally African American Baptist churches. (They generously shared some of that research with me for my senior year project in Dr. Kenneally's Black American History course!) I'm so sorry to learn that Peter has died, and so grateful to have known him in my formative years. Thinking, with love, of his family and friends.

October 1, 2018

Sorry for the family loss.may the family keep the wonderful memories of joyful times the family shared together close to the family heart.as the family celebrate a wonderful life well lived and loved by family and friends.my sincere condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time.Plsams 94:19..GP

October 1, 2018

Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. May the wonderful memories of your loved one continue to provide your family a small measure of comfort until God's promises are fulfilled. Matthew 5:5

Garry Sykora

September 30, 2018

Our deepest condolences to Bette and family. He was a remarkable man and will be missed.

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