The Wenatchee Valley College community is saddened by the loss of Psychology Professor Jim Biedert, who taught psychology at the college for more than a decade. Jim died on Sept. 27 in Wenatchee.
A tribute to Jim, Not in Autumn, was written in his memory by Poet Derek Sheffield, who teaches English. The poem was sent to his wife, Sheila Biedert.
Jim was born in Tacoma on Jan. 18, 1955. He grew up in Bremerton and graduated from East High School. His interest in the field of psychology began while he was attending Olympic Community College in Bremerton. Before pursuing a career in psychology, however, he taught elementary school in the Port Orchard area for two years. He married Sheila in 1981, and returned to school and completed his master's degree in the School of Psychology and Counseling at Central Washington University.
For the next five years he worked as a school psychologist in the Methow Valley School District, Longview and Tonasket/Oroville school districts. He then moved to Columbia, Missouri, where he taught psychology part time. He began a doctoral program in psychology at the University of Wyoming and was an adjunct psychology instructor at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
In 1994, Jim began teaching psychology at Wenatchee Valley College, while also teaching part time for Central Washington University. He was voted "Best Lecturer" in 2002 and "Most Unique" in 2003 by WVC students.
Jim's other lifelong passion was playing and listening to music. He was a gifted guitar player and avid music collector. He also went on annual camping trips with his closest friend, Greg Stanovich.
Jim is survived by his wife of 24 years, Sheila Beidert, and his mother Betty, of Bremerton.
In an obituary printed in the Wenatchee World, the family expressed thanks to their "extraordinary friends, Greg Stanovich, Celia Hall-Thur, Mike Lavinder, Meredith Patterson, and Dan Stephens for their love and support during this time. The family would like to thank the ER and Critical Care Departments and Central Washington Hospital and the many doctors and nurses for their care and support."
Memorials may be sent to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society.
1300 Fifth Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Phone: (509) 682-6800
The Wenatchee Valley College community is saddened by the loss of Psychology Professor Jim Biedert, who taught psychology at the college for more than a decade. Jim died on Sept. 27 in Wenatchee.