Alexander Beier

February 24, 1933 - January 15, 2017

Alexander Beier Obituary Alexander Beier peacefully departed this life January 15, 2017. Born February 24, 1933 to German and Russian parents, Johan and Alexandra. He grew up in Olmutz, Czechoslovakia and experienced the difficulties of WWII first hand. The eldest boy of three siblings, Alex took on many household duties while his father served in the German Navy. In 1946 Alex, his Mother (Alexandra) and two sisters Helen & Rita, were relocated to Kirschausen, Germany to start a new life in post-war Europe. It was at this time he finished an Apprenticeship as a Tool & Die Maker in Mannheim, a career decision that would become a life-long passion. At 23, Alex immigrated alone to San Francisco, CA where he joined his Uncle and Aunt. Shortly after arriving in the United States, he answered the call to serve in the U.S. Military. Completing advanced training in heavy weapons, Alex served with distinction as a member of 2nd Battalion, Arctic Rangers Joint NATO Ground Defense Force, protecting Keflavik Air Base in Iceland. He was also a member of the Rifle Marksmanship Team at Fort Ord, California, during which time he was selected to participate in early prototype testing of the M16 rifle. He left active service in 1959 and returned to his passion as a Machinist and Tooling Expert for United Airlines. Alex worked to establish himself in the community, and along with his Aunt sponsored his mother to join him in the US. In early 1961, Alex was invited to a blind date, it was there that he met the love of his life, Tatiana, with whom he shares the same birth date. After a very short courtship, they were married October 8, 1961 in a small Russian Orthodox Church in San Francisco. Together they started a family and had three children Helen, Andrew and Anthony. They enjoyed an active life in the Bay Area surrounded by their extended family and friends. In 1978, while returning from trip to Montana, they drove through Spokane, WA and fell in love with the area. In 1979, they moved their family to Spokane and fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning and operating a small machine shop, Alta Machine. Alex had a great love and pride for his family and with Tatiana they put all their children through Universities in Washington State. They enjoyed being part of the Greek Orthodox community hosting many gatherings with family and friends. He completed his career with Hewlett Packard and Agilent Technologies, finally retiring in 2003. Alex spent his retirement on numerous home projects and broadening a passion for WWII history; ultimately reconnecting with long lost friends from his childhood. He and Tatiana also loved to travel, making numerous trips to San Francisco and were fortunate to have taken several trips and cruises to Australia, Europe, Russia and the Caribbean. He adored his family, stressing the importance of integrity, education and the family unit. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Tatiana, daughter Helen and husband John McGregor, son Andrew and wife Colleen, granddaughters Mackenzie and Amanda, and son Anthony and wife Tera, grandsons Michael and Nicholas. Alex is also survived by his sisters Helen Cleaver and Rita Pawlowski. There will be a short Trisagion service on Friday, January 20, 2017 at 7pm. Funeral Service will be Saturday January 21, 2017 at 10am. Services will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1703 N. Washington, Spokane, WA. There will be a private graveside service. A reception will follow the burial at Holy Trinity.