Shepherdstown resident Adam Thomas, right, chats with Alma Bea line cook Casey Lehr on May 15. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The legacy of Erwin and Carol Asam was honored on May 15, at “The Great German Beer Hall” in Alma Bea restaurant.

Alma Bea owner and chef Mary Ellen Diaz developed the initial idea for the event, inspired by her love for German cuisine and the Bavarian Inn, Resort and Brewing Company.

“It didn’t take long, since I came here, to realize how much the Bavarian Inn has done for the community, especially Erwin and Carol,” Diaz said. “They’ve done so much for Shepherdstown. I felt like we should acknowledge that and recognize what they’ve done.”

Diaz said she is where she is today, in fact, in large part due to the Asams.

“My restaurant probably wouldn’t be here, if people hadn’t told me about the Bavarian Inn. That’s how I found out about Shepherdstown,” Diaz said. “I had actually bought a building some place else. When I talked about enjoying the sort of immigrant population cuisine and the Appalachian style, people said to me, ‘Oh, you should go to the Bavarian Inn!’ So I went to the Bavarian Inn, and that led me here.”

Mayor James Gatz, right, presents a framed proclamation designating May 15, 2025 as Asam Day, to Carol Asam, center, and Erwin Asam, in Alma Bea on May 15. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

A committee of local residents worked together with Diaz, to turn her idea into a reality. One of the committee members was town council member Shannon Thomas, who worked together with her fellow town council members and Mayor James Gatz to create a proclamation naming May 15, 2025 as Asam Day.

“We are here to honor two of the most beloved leaders in our community,” Gatz said, as he presented the framed proclamation to the couple. “One of the most fascinating and, really, most heartwarming things about them, is their entrepreneurial spirit. These guys came here, made this restaurant, made this hotel and, in the meantime, also have contributed so much to the community.

“They’ve started scholarships, they’ve worked on foundations, they started the Shepherdstown Rotary Club, I believe. They started part of the Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau,” Gatz said, before mentioning some charities for which the couple has served as board members. “They’ve been involved in a lot that has helped build our community over the last, almost 50, years. We are so honored that they are here. We are so proud to be part of their community.”

The couple’s two sons, Christian and David, currently serve as president and vice president, respectively, of their parents’ business. They shared memories and thoughts on their parents’ legacy with those in attendance, at the beginning of the night.

“The humble beginnings you all came from in Munich in the early 1940s — I don’t have to say a lot about that, other than it was not a good time to be around there. You both came out of an area that was very destitute and struggling, and decided that, ‘This is not going to define me.’ Both of you ran after careers, ran after your goals and ran after the life that you always saw for yourself — and you did it,” David said to his parents. “I can’t be more than proud to be a part of it, and to try to carry on their legacy.”

Christian Asam, left, and David Asam take turns giving speeches about their parents' legacy, in Alma Bea on May 15. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

For Erwin, the event was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends and family, and to enjoy a slice of his favorite dessert, apple strudel.

“Thank you all, to everyone who contributed to make this happen. We are very grateful,” Erwin said. “Here we are, enjoying all of this. It’s just great!”

Carol then shared a memory from when they first decided to leave behind their successful careers in the Washington, D.C. area and to move, with their two-year-old and two-month-old sons, to Shepherdstown.

“Obviously, Erwin and I moved around a lot, before we moved here to Shepherdstown. I was always a city girl,” Carol said, noting she was shocked when her husband suggested purchasing the Bavarian Inn. “I said, ‘Shep-what?’ I almost had him committed.”

Her opinion on Shepherdstown soon after changed, according to Carol.

Charles Town resident Gene Abelow performs the accordion at The Great German Beer Hall in Alma Bea on May 15. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

“We can think of no better place to live. We never ever want to leave,” Carol said.

The ticket price to attend The Great German Beer Hall was $75, one third of which was donated to The Erwin Asam Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship at Shepherd University. To contribute to the scholarship, visit https://shepherduniversityfoundation.org/asamtourismandhospitalityschol/.