We are sad to say Grandpa passed away on April 9th. He was 96! So many of you guys ask about him each year and we always appreciated that.
We knew many of you enjoyed Grandpa "Phil" Beilke when you'd see him each year in the apple orchard. He'd either grab you for a ride in the Gator and you'd have no idea where you were going, or joking and giving you a hard time about something :) Grandpa was the one who planted the first apple trees in 1959 and had the u-pick apple idea. I know he really enjoyed his time with all of you every Fall.
Our family will miss him so much. My dad, Terry, (Phil's son) worked with him for 45 years everyday, and I (Erin, his granddaughter) was able to work full-time with him for 11 years, plus all my growing up years that I was around the farm, so it will definitely leave an empty space. He taught me so much. I am thankful for all those years I had with him.
His service will be Sun, May 1st at 3pm at Willamette Valley Christian School. (Just across the street from the farm.) When the building was Brooks Elementary, before WVCS, Grandpa would help with so many things over there, plus held kid's basketball practice 2 days a week for 18 years in the gym. Anyone is welcome if they would like to come.
If anyone has some good stories to tell about Grandpa, we'd love to hear them! Feel free to send them to BeilkeFF@gmail.com. Thanks!