I have many memories of Shawn of which I’ll share but a few. 

I was undergraduate at a small university in upstate NY. I was accepted to several graduate schools, including UCR. One day Shawn calls me out-of-the-blue. After the initial shock, we talked for a while. That call was the beginning of a 15-yr association with Shawn and UCR, as both graduate student and staff. 

My first year at UCR (early 1980s) was to be the second year of the SAGE program that he co-founded, which was a summer field geophysics course in New Mexico. He asked why I hadn't applied. I told him that I had a husky who wouldn’t enjoy romping around in the hot desert. “No problem, he can stay at the house that I’m staying at.” I drove out to the desert in the department’s drill truck with dog by my side. The course was a great learning experience.

On another occasion, I remember helping a fellow graduate student collect gravity data in a remote mountainous area that was several hours drive from campus. It was late and the vehicle wouldn’t start. We called Shawn for help using the department’s satellite phone. “No problem, I’ll be there in a couple of hours.” He drove out, found us in the dark, and towed us to a downhill where we popped the clutch. We arrived home after midnight.

Finally, I remember an alumni dinner that I was organizing. Having trouble securing the keynote speaker, I went to Shawn. “No problem, I’ll do it.” At the dinner, Shawn donned an army helmet and went on a 20-minute riff cracking jokes like Rodney Dangerfield. Shawn knew how not to take life too seriously, as those who attended his pool parties will attest to.

To me, there were no “problems” in Shawn’s eyes, only ways to get things done. He believed in hard work and taking on challenges head on. He gave freely of his time and was always willing to lend a hand. I was fortunate to have had him on two committees, and am thankful for the influence that he had on my life. I am a better person for having known him


Shawn was a wonderful and helpful God-Father to our family that encouraged us to "Go For It".
The DMello Family

MEMORIAL FOR DR. SHAWN BIEHLER
WHEN: MAY 20, 2022 -2:00 PM-?
 WHERE: UCR (University of California-Riverside Campus) 
                                  in GEOLOGY COURTYARD
                                  

Shawn Biehler jumping off the roof of the MT (Magneto Telluric) truck doghouse in the Salton Basin during the annual Principles of Field Geophysics course he  taught at UCR (photo taken January-February 1976). Shawn was demonstrating a unique method of generating seismic waves, and and in the process managed not to break any bones.

More pictures to come after I review my photos and slides from 1975-1979 during my years at UCR.

Celebration of Life for Shawn Biehler scheduled on May 20th, 2022 (afternoon-specific time to be announced) at University of California - Riverside , courtyard outside the geology building.

Dad,
Things you have taught me or inspired me are plentiful…
Seize the moment.
Take advantage of once in a lifetime opportunities.
Do IT, and Do it well. (With IT being whatever I wanted to do.)
Make someone happy.
Plan, Save, Invest well, but don’t forget the here and now.
Make it special! (Again with IT being whatever I wanted to do.)

In the end, when things are swirling around in your mind, THINK…
What Would Dad Do?


I don’t even know where to start. I always knew Dad was a brilliant man but clearly I didn’t begin to understand the depth of his vast knowledge. I just knew, if I had a question about anything I could come to him and he would steer me in the right direction. Not necessarily giving me the obvious answer but encourage me to examine all aspects of what the consequences of my choices would be. I always knew Dad would have my back if I needed it, as it was one of his catch phrases; I never got tired of hearing! His breadth of knowledge blew my mind as a young adult and as a mature woman now.  I love how he always said, “I told my doctor I won’t try to doctor if you don’t try to be a geophysicist!” I would say he actually was a doctor to many of us.

One of the many things he taught me in life was not to be afraid of hard work and the reward one reaps from it.  He helped to jump start so many people’s lives and I loved how he would get all excited when he spoke about new groups of students, particularly the SAGE students. I didn’t understand much of anything when I was a kid, going out in the field with him, but what I did realize was the true friendships and bonds created with all the students/ faculty in the field, truly hard work but FUN. The days of the bunny suit are etched in my mind forever. I remember hearing him give a lecture when I was in junior high at the university and not really understanding the complex nature of the discussion but clearly feeling the energy and engagement my Dad had with his students and the material he was sharing. I wish my own college students will have one professor that they feel as intensely about as many of  his students felt for him.
Dad's favorite person/topic was the love of his life Andrea. He would always tell me how much she meant to him and how she made him so happy and about all the trips and places he wanted to travel with her.  I thank  you for that Andrea, You and Dad did have many marvelous trips. Happy memories!



Shawn & Andrea were a significant reason that I was able to succeed as a student and later as a scientist--not because of science, but because of their caring and supportiveness. Cannot count how many meals they fed me (and some of my house mates), and how many glasses of wine they supplied while I played guitar and Andrea sang. But most of all it was the talk, the encouragement, the interesting people I met at their house that pushed me along. They both had/have big hearts, and Shawn had the gift of blarney--ah the stories we could tell, eh?  And, I suspect that he helped get me into graduate school at Princeton. Last saw them 8 or 10 years ago, but, as long as I live I will never forget them. Lovingly, Michael

I first met Shawn over 25 years ago when I was working on my master’s degree.  Since then, Shawn has been both a mentor and a good friend.  I am grateful for the opportunity we had to work together on some interesting projects.  We enjoyed many conversations (geophysics discussions of course) at lunch over the years.  Shawn was always willing to share his knowledge and was always there when I needed help on a gravity project.  Shawn – I truly value everything you taught me, and I am really going to miss those lunches.

Uncle Shawn,
You will be dearly missed. You always shared your knowledge and wisdom with all whom you came in contact with. I have many fond memories of the summers I got to spend in CA with you and the family. Our only regret is that we didn’t get to see and spend more time with you.  May you Rest In Peace. Love, Dan & family.

Shawn was my long-term colleague and friend, starting from day one of my career at UC Riverside in September 1974. 
At UCR, I began as an observer of his seismic refraction surveys in the Imperial Valley for delineating geothermal reservoirs. Besides his technical expertise, he possessed an enviable charisma that not only motivated students in the field operation, but also attracted former students to return as per reunion on weekends to give free field assistance and share their experiences. In addition, Mrs. Andrea Biehler kindly provided warm meals to the hard-working seismic crew at camp sites. An amazing couple leading a family of aspiring young geophysicists! 
As our interest migrated from studying geothermal reservoirs to groundwater basins, Shawn and I collaborated more intensively. Over one decade with students, we have logged tens of miles in the cumulative seismic refraction line length. We systematically studied the geometry of many groundwater basins and their inter-connections in the Inland area. Our model estimates of depths to basement were verified independently by later, new spot drillings to within acceptable error margin. The results form a quantitative basis for management of groundwater resources.
We also extended our studies to the March Air Reserve Base and vicinity. We had advanced to using GPS (Global Positioning System) at 10-m station spacing in the so-called microgal gravity survey. Our detailed gravity mapping revealed a network of subsurface channels under the flat ground surface at the Base. Knowing the configurations of those buried channels is critical for mitigation of contamination in the soil and sediment beneath the MARB: mainly groundwater passageways, solute transport routes, and siting for monitoring and extraction wells of contaminants. 
Shawn’s legacy contributions will be remembered forever. I feel proud to have been associated with Shawn who enabled me to wear another professional hat as an applied geophysicist. 


I first met Shawn in the Fall Semester of 1970. It was the start of his first year at UCR and my first year as a geophysics grad student. Shawn took me under his wing and helped me find a good thesis project and provided financial support, equipment, vehicles and guidance.  He was my mentor throughout my grad student years. Even after I graduated and left UCR Shawn continued to support me whenever I needed help. He was always there for me. Although he was only 9-yrs my senior, he and Andy were like surrogate parents to my wife and I and they adored our infant son. I have fond memories of many dinners at Shawn and Andy's house, not to mention their notorious pool parties. 

Sean was my field geophysics professor at UCR back in the early 80's. He was a lot of fun to be around, even in the field, and especially at the parties he threw at his house. He was a brilliant man and a great mentor to me. 

We all will miss you. You left fond memmories with my family.  We will miss your laugh as well as your knowledge. God Bless you.

Dad,
I have so many memories. I feel like I want to get so many down on paper but my mind is still swirling. In due time...for now know, I miss you deeply. I think to myself and hear your voice say, “what would Dad do?” I love you.

OBITUARY

Shawn Biehler

May 20, 1937 – September 11, 2021

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services