College Essay: Peer Baekgaard

I just wrote a college essay for the application to Hope College. It's about my step-grandfather who passed away in 2007 and I just wanted to share it with anyone reading.

Throughout my life, I have come into contact with people who have had stories to tell me and advice to give me. My parents have instilled values and ethics into me, my friends have allowed me to keep a strong sense of humor, and my siblings have given me the ability to be responsible when watching over them and protecting them. However, through all of my years, it has been my step-grandfather, Peer Baekgaard, who has been the most inspirational to me. After countless stories of what he went through during his teen years, and what obstacles he had to overcome to be successful in this world, it was easy for me to conclude that Peer Baekgaard was no ordinary man, but an extraordinary man who had an amazing story to tell.

Peer was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1923. In 1944, Peer joined the Danish Underground army to help fight the German forces in the time leading up to World War II. However, he was captured by the Germans and taken to a Prisoner-of-War Camp where he was sentenced to be executed. After countless months of living on bread and small portions of soup, Peer’s execution was on the horizon. Yet, in a bizarre twist of fate, the British bombed the camp Peer was at, and destroyed all the paperwork which named Peer as someone up for execution.

A few more months passed in P.O.W. camp when, one morning, the gates were opened and no guards could be seen. Not knowing whether this was a cruel trick set up by the Germans, Peer and fellow inmates cautiously escaped the camp by night in hopes to return to Copenhagen. Hiding by day and travelling by night, Peer finally reached Copenhagen to find that the war was over.

A few years passed before Peer made possibly the biggest decision of his life. In the mid 1950’s, Peer decided to immigrate to the United States, where he could live in the free world. Upon arrival, Peer had no job and no means of salary. To make up for his lack of funds, Peer made a dozen wooden boats and went to F.A.O. Schwartz Toy Company in New York City and sold his boats to the store. This business deal would end up marking the start of something special. Peer decided to start a business called Baekgaard, Ltd., which sold men’s gifts and accessories.

Years passed and Peer’s business grew exponentially. In the late 1980’s, while acting as President of the Chicago Gift Mart at the annual Chicago Gift Show, Peer met a woman who had recently started a business of her own. Her name was Barbara Bradley, and her business was called Vera Bradley, named after her mother. The two had instant chemistry and, after a few years of dating, got married in 1990.

With both companies becoming internationally-known, multi-million dollar companies, the couple shared some great moments together. Vera Bradley and Baekgaard, Ltd. collaborated to make a few products and basically created a brother-sister relationship between the companies. On July 21, 2007, after a battle with a number of health issues, Peer Baekgaard passed away at the age of 83.

To me, Peer’s story is inspirational beyond measure. From almost being executed, to immigrating to America, to owning a business, and to finding love, Peer led an eventful life that many people could never dream of enduring. When he married my grandmother a year before my birth, he essentially became my grandfather.

His stories and life lessons were ones to be remembered, and he never had a problem telling me in his thick, Danish accent. He taught me that persistence was necessary in this world. His persistence brought him to America and made him successful.

He taught me to not take anything for granted in this world. I recall countless meals where he would say a normal hamburger was “fantastic” and that an everyday sunset was “outstanding.” In order to understand why Peer was so thrilled with everyday things, I had to remember that he was days away from being executed.

Peer showed me that a sense of humor can get you a long ways in life. His sense of humor was somewhat dry, but always effective, as he could brighten up a room with a witty joke or his bright smile. Because of Peer, I do my best everyday to keep situations light and add a bit of humor here and there. Nothing is better than to see someone smile, and Peer showed me that one can gain a lot of friends and acquaintances by having a good sense of humor.

Finally, Peer showed me that love can make a person the happiest they can possibly be. By spending time with my grandmother and Peer, I could see that there was a genuine love and affection towards each other that made me love them even more. Oftentimes, I would hear Peer tell my grandmother that he loved her “very, very much.” He wasn’t purely saying he loved her to say it. He indisputably loved her with all of his heart, and I could do nothing but give my full respect to him for treating her so well.

When Peer died, I could see how many people he affected throughout his lifetime. The viewing at the local funeral home was incredible, as the line was always out the door to see my grandmother and Peer for one last time. I shook more hands and met more people in that night alone than I had in the five years leading up to the viewing. Each person told me what kind of person Peer was and how he had affected them differently, whether it was business related or family related. Most importantly, I saw how much my grandmother loved him. Yes, she shed some tears, but her attitude was very positive, as people continuously told her all of the funny stories they had about Peer and how he completely affected their lives at one point or another.

Peer was inspirational to me in countless ways. By seeing what he did with his time on this planet, I know what it takes to be successful in this world. His life lessons will be essential to my future. Whether I go on to own a business, write for a newspaper, or simply sell wooden boats, I know Peer’s guidance will help me become a successful and an admirable person in anything I do in life.