Teri & Family, I was very fortunate to know Nelson since coming to Barnegat Light in 1988. We fished together for Striped Bass on several occasions. While fishing with Nelson I realized that he is not only a super nice guy but one of the most interesting and intelligent people that I ever met. Even though I'm not a commercial fisherman, I found his conversations of fishing adventures past and the current issues of the Long Line industry very enjoyable. This prompted me to always ask about the current hot topics concerning the industry. He spoke with such passion on the subject. That passion and dedication is expressed by the spectacular garden the Nelson and Teri created. I always stop to look at it even when no one is around. I will surely miss stopping during my dog walk for a brief chat with Nelson. Nelson is one of those special people that you meet in your life. I will think of him when I'm out on the water or admiring the beautiful garden.
Nelson was a tireless advocate for Bluewater and the fleet. Even though we came to the table from different perspectives, it was exciting to see Nelson's passion to create workable solutions for everyone. He was a true champion! We are shocked and saddened by his sudden loss. His shoes will be impossible to fill.
Hammer-a fisherman / Ray Bogan (friend) Dear Terri, Ben and Justin,
Nelson was one of those rare persons who is irreplaceable, both in ICCAT and HMS. He was a dedicated and persistant warrior who cared deeply for those that he represented. His leadership of Bluewater was far more of a passion than a job.
Nelson lived, and therefore better understood, the life of a fisherman. He grew up in the party and charter boat industry and went on to become longliner. Few could match his real world resume written from his life experiences and passions.
Nelson was also an avid recreational fisherman. I never got the chance to take the fluke trip with him that we had talked about in the past. That will now have to wait.
Terri, Ben and Justin, you were blessed to have Nelson, and he knew he was blessed to have you. Terri,I planted three rose bushes this weekend. I think he'd like them. Ray
A maritme way of seeing one leave this shore. / Gef Flimlin (friend) Dear Terri and family.
As was everyone else, I was most shocked at Nelson's untimely departure from this realm. He was one of the first fishermen with whom I worked over 25 years ago to bring satellite technology to the fishing industry and his support and help was always true and helpful. Perhaps we did that too well, since soon after that we needed management of those HMS.
He was a person whom was well respected and he will always be remembered that way.
Hammer will always be as close as our memory and we will always remember his smile and determination for the greater good.
I found this explanation about dying recently and saved it since I knew someday that I would pass it along to some commercial fishing family that had suffered a loss of that Captain. I hope that it brightens this moment.
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:
“Here she comes!”
And that is dying. by Henry Van Dyke
Peace......Gef
MMA 75 Classmate / Steve Gumpel (MMA Classmate ) Personal success for the public good is his legacy. God bless Nelson and his family.
~Their Journey Has Just Begun~ / Jeremy Clark Nephew~Kevin Poole (Passerby) ~Their Journey Has Just Begun~
Don't think of them as gone away,
their journey has just begun.
Life holds so many facets,
this earth is only one.
Just think of them as resting
from sorrow and the tears,
in a place of warmth and comfort,
where there are no days and years.
Think of how they must be wishing
that we could know today,
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of them as living
in the hearts of those they touched
for nothing loved is ever lost
and they were lovded so much.
An influential colleague is missed. . . . / Eric Stroud (Colleague) We are truly sorry for your loss. We first met Nelson working on the 2006 CRP proposals and we have him to thank for our blue shark research as well. He was always a pleasure to exchange ideas with, and was inspirational in his work. We will continue the byctach reduction work Nelson started with us, and will never forget him.
Tales from Georges Bank / Putnam Maclean (fellow fisherman ) Terri, Ben and Justin, I am so sorry for your loss. I had recently been in contact with Nelson about the start up of the new season of fishing on Georges Bank and hoping he had some oldtime wisdom on reading the water to find the June swordfish hot spots. Thinking about him now brings me way back to my first meeting with him on a cool, gray June day in 1982 in the area of Atlantis Canyon. He was friendly enough to pull the Terri Lei along side a boat I was running and share fishing observations with a virtual stranger. Nelson was excited to share the secrets of a thermographic instrument that when lowered into the depths would show an etched temperature chart of the vertical temperatures below the surface. It was a calm day so we were able to "lay to" within speaking distance and he had me send one of these gadgets into the depths. i can't remember what we caught or where he went after that day but I have not forgotten Hammer's efforts at friendship. It was competative out there and most captains wished you were fishing somewhere else and were unlikely to provide encouragement as Hammer did. We later went on to meet again during the emerging swordfish management bloom a few years later and spent too much time talking about how not to catch fish so we could catch them later. unpleasant task, and I thank him and your family for doing it. Bless you all, Putnam
Fight the Good Fight / Molly Lutcavage (colleague) To Terri and family,
It is well over a week, and I still cannot fathom how life and work on the blue ocean can proceed without Nelson Beideman. This loss, which came so unexpectedly and without warning, casts a giant shadow.
I have known Hammer since 1994. He was one of the most honest, passionate, and hardworking men I`d met. It was a pleasure to corral him at meetings, getting his advice, opinions, and sly commentary regarding fishing and turtles and life on the high seas. After ICCAT meetings, I always tried to wrangle a seat at his table, where the best spirits and conversation could be counted on. Nelson listened well, and gave good advice, which I learned to trust. He had a delightful sense of humor in the face of absurdity. He revealed to the rest of us what tenacity and dedication are all about, and taught us how to fight civilly for what we believe in. Hammer encouraged us researchers to do better, to get out there, to fill in the gaps.
Nelson was an exceptional man, and I shall think of him often, and with admiration.
Molly
A tenacious advocate, who will be missed. / Ellen Peel (Colleague) Nelson will be sorely missed. He exhibited great tenacity for his fishery. Though he often found pleasure in teasing me about billfish, he always punctuated it with "his chuckle." And from across the fishery management table, we often had different preferences on management alternatives, but at times we were able to find common ground. Such occasions were rewarding for all, especially for the fish. Fish meetings will not be the same without Hammer. My prayers and sympathy go to Terri and the rest of their family.
Tributes and Condolences
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