Your Neighbor: Tina Beer

Seventy-two-year-old Tina Beer already retired once — and she doesn’t plan to do it again anytime soon.

“Boredom is my worst nightmare,” says the New York City native.

Beer retired from Ringling College of Art and Design as dean of its liberal arts program in 2007 but quickly became bored and decided to help a friend with his pet sitting and dog walking business. She bought that business last spring.

“I never really stopped working,” she says.

This is not the first time Beer has found herself in an unexpected career situation. While she was studying in the late ’60s and early ’70s to obtain her master’s and doctorate degrees in European history and philosophy from Vanderbilt University, she took a job as a teaching assistant.

Although she intended for the job to help her pay for college, she enjoyed teaching college students so much she remained in education for the next three decades. In 1984, she strayed from college education and bought the Prew Academy, a private school in Sarasota. Beer was the head of the middle and high school for three years. In 1987, Beer returned to college education and started out as a registrar at Ringling College.

Today, Beer walks 5 miles a day with five or six dogs. Staying active and supplying love and care to her furry clients is important to her. Beer credits her strong work ethic to enjoying what she does.

“I love work,” she says. “If you can work at what you’re good at and what you enjoy, then that’s a fulfilling life.”

Neighborhood: Bayview Acres
Your neighbor since: 1986

IN HER OWN WORDS: “I love this neighborhood. I like that it is an old neighborhood with that Old Florida feeling and the houses have character and are well maintained.” — Tina Beer

Contact Harriet Sokmensuer at [email protected]