Kenneth Paul Bierwirth

Kenneth Paul Bierwirth completed his earthly portion of life on May 8, 2018, in Albuquerque, age 84. He was born August 30, 1933, Saline County, AR. The family was in the dairy business and his father was a Justice of the Peace.

Ken attended Bryant, AR High School and was inducted into the hall of honor as a member of the first football team at Bryant. In 1951, he was a “walk on” razorback player for the University of Arkansas and later attended Little Rock Junior College on a football scholarship. He was drafted into the Army for basic training at Ft. Chaffee then to Ft. Harrison to become a court reporter. By 1954 he was assigned to 8th Army Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAG Corps). He earned a B.S. in dairy husbandry from Arkansas University. On August 18, 1957 he married Elizabeth Bentley in Red Wing, MN, resulting in 60 years of marriage. Ken earned a M.S. degree in large animal nutrition from the University of Arkansas in 1959.

Ken worked for the animal feeds division, Carnation Company, managing stores in Arkansas and Missouri. In Little Rock, he was hired by Globe Labs Division of Pfizer. He was chosen as National Salesman of the Year in Animal Health by Pfizer, the first ever selected. Subsequently he created Bierwirth’s Vet. Supply, a wholesale business serving stores in four states. The business moved to Fayetteville, AR. That same year, he started Paul’s Vet. Supply in Roswell. Bierwirth’s Animal Supply in Albuquerque began in 1991.

On June 20, 1993, Father’s Day, Ken suffered a heart attack and brain stem stroke launching nearly 25 years of his fight to survive. Ken’s story was a “case study” promoting the value of exercise in recovery presented at several national medical gatherings by Presbyterian Healthplex personnel.

Ken is survived by his wife, confidant and caregiver, Beth. His children include his daughter, Belinda Bierwirth; son, Paul Bierwirth, grandchildren, Nelson and Molly and great-granddaughter, Abigail, all of Roswell; and son, David and Terry (Collins) Bierwirth, and grandchildren, Bryce and Madison of Eugene, OR. He is also survived by his brother, Nick Bierwirth of Texas; and sister, Carolyn Halbert of Fayetteville, AR. Siblings, Clara Oliver, Wilma Richey and Bill Bierwirth preceded Ken in death.

The family is grateful for the extraordinary care of the Corona Bee Hive Homes staff and the invaluable help of Hospice Compassus.

A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held Saturday, June 9, 2018, 1:00 p.m., at The Cathedral of St. John, 318 Silver Ave. SW, with ennichement to follow in the columbarium. Instead of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Kenneth and Elizabeth Bierwirth Foundation, RBC, 6301 Uptown Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Thank you.