Philip David Beer Named Veteran Of The Month At Commissioner Meeting
WARSAW — Philip David Beer was honored as veteran of the month at the Kosciusko commissioner meeting today, Jan. 10. Beer, also known as “Phil” or “Flip”, was born May 1, 1930 in Milford to Theo and Naoma Beer.
Beer and his six siblings were raised on a farm three miles west of Milford. He spent his childhood hunting, fishing, playing sports and helping out on the family farm.
He attended school in a one room schoolhouse in Jefferson Township through eighth grade and continued his education through high school at Milford. Beer was an athlete, involved in basketball, softball and track while in school. He was president of the class of 1947.
Beer was drafted by the army in August 1951. Earlier that year, he had met and fallen in love with Mildred (Millie) Roecker. When Beer was drafted, the young couple became engaged and maintained a long-distance relationship while he fulfilled his military obligations.
He completed basic training in Fort Meade, Md. in late 1951 and was sent overseas to Korea, where he served as a medic in the 7th Medical Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division.
Beer’s primary duty during the war was to transport medical officers to first aid station outposts. These outposts provided life saving measures. Because these aid stations were in forward positions, they were frequently in harm’s way.
Beer received a medal of accommodation from the army and was about to make sergeant rank when he was discharged back to Indiana in May 1953. His brother, Alan, had broken his back and Beer was needed on the family farm. Beer recalls not being too upset about leaving the military as a corporal – he wanted to go home!
On June 7, 1953 Beer married his beloved Millie. In the years that followed, the couple raised nine children. These nine children led to 20 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
During his career, Beer worked as a grain and livestock farmer, on the railroad, as a factory worker, carpenter, realtor and finally real estate appraiser. Beer built scores of homes in the county during his years as a foreman for Kinder Realty. After gaining a real estate license, he founded Syracuse-based Beer Realtors in 1975. He became a certified appraiser in 1991 and formed Beer Appraisal Company in 1994. Phil continued to work in the appraisal business with two of his children, Chris and John, until 2008. Chris and John continue to operate the company.
Beer was active in the Milford, Syracuse and Kosciusko County communities, serving and leading on various boards, including Soil and Water Conservation, president of Syracuse Economic Development Commission, president of Kosciusko County Board of Realtors, president of CRB Chapter of Indiana, Kosciusko County PTABOA and director of Indiana Association of Realtors.
In retirement, Beer did volunteer work for many years as a redcoat at Goshen Hospital. In 2002, following a long illness, Beer’s beloved wife, Millie, passed away after 49 years of marriage.
In 2004 Beer married Lisa Kuhn Geiger. The couple currently reside east of Milford.
Today Beer’s children and grandchildren are spread across the country, from Boston to Southern California. In 2012 one of Beer’s grandsons, Grant Gutwein, served in Korea with the 25th Transportation Battalion. This was exactly 60 years after Beer was stationed there. In memory of his war experience, Beer bought a 1952 Willy’s Jeep in the 1990’s and owns it to this day. He has driven it in the Milford Memorial Parade for years, often transporting veterans. Beer is a beloved citizen of Kosciusko County and a true patriot!