Nelson Beideman Life Story & Time Line

NELSON R. “HAMMER” BEIDEMAN, 53, of BARNEGAT LIGHT died suddenly on May 25 at home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Camden, he grew up in Pennsauken, spending summers in Barnegat Light, before he relocated there permanently in 1975. A charter boat fisherman since the age of seven, fishing was his life’s passion. After high school, he graduated Maine Maritime Academy and was selected for commission in the US Navy Reserve where he served honorably. During his commission he worked as a commercial fishing captain. In 1981, he became the owner and operator of his own commercial vessel, the F/V Terri Lei, continuing until 1993, when the boat was tragically lost at sea. In 1989, Nelson was one of the founders of Blue Water Fishermen’s Association, a non-profit organization representing commercial swordfish and tuna fishermen. He served four years as its first President, and became its Executive Director in 1993, a position he held for the rest of his life.

He participated on the official United States delegation to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, a UN fishery management body, since 1994. In addition, he relentlessly represented the views of working commercial fishermen in many other state, regional, national, and international organizations. Over the years, his efforts have been honored by several industry and governmental bodies, among them: the Highliner Award in October, 1994 by National Fishermen, the Community Partnership Award in June, 1998 by the Jersey Shore Alliance, the NOAA Team Member of the Month Award in December, 2003 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and a Certificate of Appreciation in April, 2006 from the US Department of Commerce. He was a pioneer in the promotion of using circle-type fishing hooks to reduce the incidence of unintended injuries to sea turtles, which is now federal law and set to become an international standard. In his spare time, he enjoyed going fishing and crabbing, working in his garden, and spending time with his family, friends, and pets.

Nelson was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin and Rosalinda Beideman. Surviving are his wife of more than thirty years, Terri Lei, his sons Benjamin and Justin and Justin’s girlfriend Molly Molinaro, all of Barnegat Light; a sister, Lael Rutherford, her husband Jim Sr. and their children Jim Jr. and Devon, all of Medford; a brother-in-law, Eric Hooper and his partner Donna Curtis of Ellsworth, Maine; and many other relatives and extended family, especially two close cousins, Laura Lanzilotta, her husband Michael and daughter Mia of Delran; and Bonnie Stout, her partner John Masson, and her daughters Laura and Kimberley, all of Haddon Township. He is also greatly missed by his many friends as well as the many colleagues with whom he worked.

A memorial service celebrating Nelson’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 7th at 1:00pm at the family’s home located at 910 Bayview Avenue in Barnegat Light, with a reception immediately following. Cards would be appreciated; however, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to to a charity of your choice. Cards can be mailed to Beideman Family, 910 Bayview Avenue, PO Box 579, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006.