ALBANY – Rev. Carl Bierman, 79, of Albany, died Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Albany Medical Center Hospital. Rev. Bierman was born in Hannover, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1935. He was raised in the Bronx, attended Columbia University, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the City College of New York. He then earned a Masters of Divinity from the Harvard Divinity School. He served for many years as a Unitarian minister at churches in Kennebunk, ME, Trenton, NJ, Washington Crossing, NJ, Springfield, MO, and Woodstock, VT. He oversaw the construction of the churches in Washington Crossing, NJ, and Springfield, MO. He also taught in the religion department of Missouri State University at Springfield, MO, was a member of the Torch Club of Trenton, NJ, and was active in the civil rights movement, traveling to Montgomery, AL, and to Martin Luther King’s march on Washington, DC.
Rev. Bierman is survived by his wife Dolores Hart Bierman; his daughters Natalie Opitz (Charlie) of Springfield, MO, Daphne McKinney of Yucaipa, CA, and Sally Diggins (Patrick) of Hoover, AL; his son Andrew Bierman (Jill) of Albany; and his grandchildren Marcus, Tara, Nicholas and Matthew Opitz, Malcolm, Alec and David McKinney, Patrick Diggins, IV, Zachary and Henry Diggins, and Katherine and Nathan Bierman.
Funeral services were held privately at the convenience of the family, with interment in Albany Rural Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Ann and Howard Picard
January 10, 2010 at 8:09 amAndy, Jill, and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of your father. We pray the days ahead are filled with fond memories of him and what he has accomplished over the years.
Ann and Howard Picard
The Fusco's
January 10, 2010 at 6:53 pmDear Jill, Andrew, and family,
Please know that our thoughts and prays are with you. We are so sorry for your loss.
Carey and Brian Fusco
Richard and Roberta Weeden
January 14, 2010 at 1:00 pmWe were fortunate to share our lives with Rev. Bierman, Delores and their family while he was our minister here in Springfield. His “talking” christmas tree sermons were always a holiday highlight. The world seems a little smaller with his passing. Sincerely,
The Weedens
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Springfield, MO
January 14, 2010 at 1:19 pmThe congregation and friends of 1st UU would like to extend our condolences at the loss of Rev. Bierman. We continue to enjoy the wonderful building that he helped to construct here in Springfield. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
On behalf of the congregation of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Springfield, MO
Linda Eckels
Church Administrator
Robert Stephens
January 14, 2010 at 4:02 pmCarl was the minister at the Springfield UU church when I first left a Disciples of Christ church and visited the UUs. He was the only minister I have heard (either before or since) who regularly sent me to the library to look into more of what he spoke of during the sermons.
I truly missed him when he left the church and our community.
Bob Stephens
John & Mary Austin Sharp Roam
January 15, 2010 at 2:05 pmDear Family of Rev. Carl Bierman,
What a great loss you all have suffered. Rev. Bierman was an inspiring minister to me and to my family and to our UU church in Springfield, MO. He was a great comfort at the time of my son Russell Sharp´ s death, he conducted a beautiful memorial service for my first husband Mark Stanley Sharp, and I can truly say he was a minister who ministered.
With much love and many fond memories to all of you,
Mary and John
Anita M Isaac M.D.
January 19, 2010 at 2:14 pmI’m an old member of the Springfield Unitarian Church where Rev Bierman was Pastor for a number of years . I wasn’t working in Springfield for a good period of his ministry here but I knew him as an incredible orator and only under rare circumstances did I miss attending church when he was here. We missed him greatly when he left. I hope the family knows how talented he was. I didn’t know them well as I’m sure others of the congregation did.
Carla Galloway
January 21, 2010 at 1:34 pmI would like to add my condolences to those of other members of the Springfield UU Church. My husband, Howard, now deceased, especially looked forward to each sunday because of the excellent talks Rev Carl Bierman gave. We really missed him, when he left.
I hope, that knowing of our fond memories will help you in your loss.
Carla.
Carla Galloway
January 21, 2010 at 1:34 pmI would like to add my condolences to those of other members of the Springfield UU Church. My husband, Howard, now deceased, especially looked forward to each sunday because of the excellent talks Rev Carl Bierman gave. We really missed him, when he left.
I hope, that knowing of our fond memories will help you in your loss.
Carla.
Bill Powell
January 25, 2010 at 4:08 pmI was so very sadden to learn of Carl’s death. Words are so very inadequate to aid you in your grief, other than to let you know how others share your sorrow. Carl was a good man and during your stay in Springfield, Carl truly impacted my life. One of the major lessons he taught me was that a religion was not about the minister, the building, or even the membership of the church, but the theology of the denomination. His messages and remarks were so inspiring and challenging, that often as not I found myself in the library trying to learn more about what Carl spoke about. The world and the UU denomination were made richer because of Carl’s devotion and service; and I know I am a better person for having known and been associated with Carl. My love and condolences to the entire Bierman family in their loss. Bill
Elees Woods
November 7, 2011 at 8:12 amDear Delores,
Probably you won’t remember me but I was a member of the Springfield MO UU church, 1980 – 1983. I am so sorry to learn of Carl’s passing, I will always remember his splendid sermons. He had a true gift. In fact, Carl performed our wedding when Roger Easley and I married in 1983.
My deepest sympathy and warm regards to you and your family.
Elees Woods