Nick Charles Biersteker, long time Peninsula resident, passed away peacefully at home on May 10, 2011. He was 67.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kathleen Bennett Biersteker; daughters Alicia Biersteker and Erin Biersteker;  sister Nancy Jane Burton; local nieces and nephews include Baba Sam, Joey and Kiriel Burton and his dear Ariana Kesterson; Lauren Weaver; Michael and Tanya Bennett and Alaina Whiteman; John Kelly and Shayne Turner; Mark and Ryan Tinder. He is survived by Uncle Joseph, Aunts Eileen, Fran, and Honey Biersteker and numerous cousins in Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley and the Midwest , where Nick spent much of his youth.

Nick was preceded in death by infant brother, Charles; sister, Patricia Weaver; parents Lt. Colonel Nicholas and Charlotte “Jane” (Hogg) Biersteker of Pebble Beach.

A self described  “Army brat”, Nick lived on the Presidio of Monterey, marched in the Pacific Grove Butterfly Parade as a preschooler, grew up across the US and Europe, graduated from Monterey Peninsula College and attended San Francisco State. After living in San Francisco in the 1965 “summer of love” and where his beautiful Alicia was born, the family moved to the East Bay, back to San Francisco, to El Granada and the Big Sur South Coast where the family lived in a tipi at 3600 ft. in the Santa Lucia Mountains. Here Nick was midwife to the birth of his beautiful, Erin, and thrilled to receive her into his own hands. He and Kathleen chose to rear their family in Pacific Grove. For many years, Nick worked at The Lodge at the Pebble Beach Lodge, Monterey Plaza Hotel and Cypress Point Club. He was a member of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union Local 483, American Legion Post 41, VFW 811 Men’s Auxiliary, and was a loyal Packer fan.

An earnest hard working man of honor and integrity, Nick kept his word and believed in the commitment of a handshake. He was a true, consistent and reliable friend to many. An avid reader, he stayed abreast of politics and world affairs. Nick was proud of his daughters and loved to dance with his wife. He enjoyed the salt air at Cypress Point, the sun on his skin, to raise his glass, play cards and pool. He loved music, the ocean, and the game of golf and savored days skiing, canoeing, camping, and hiking up the Big Sur River gorge. Ultimately we was a family man, happiest surrounded by family and friends.
Nick will surely be remembered for his quick wit, easy smile, generous heart, twinkling eyes and rascally spirit.

Sometime, when you are cruising along Hwy 1, hear a good joke, have a winning hand, sink a putt, notice a circling hawk, are stirred by music or are enjoying a cold beer, think of Nick, as he surely would enjoy it too.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held at 3 pm, Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Monterey American Legion Post 41.

In lieu of flowers, give a smile and a hand to another and share your heart and bounty with others.