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Franz was born in Munich, Germany on April 12, 1940.

When he was three years old, he lived through the bombing raids by the Allied Forces. His father was drafted by Hitler's army, late in the war, after working on and perfecting the trigger mechanism of the German machine gun. Franz's father became missing in action and was later declared dead.

Little Franz, his mother, and sister were evacuated from the city when the bombing became unbearable. From 1944 to 1950, the family scratched out a meager survival in a small town in pastoral Bavaria. His mother waitressed, sewed, and performed other work for food or money. The young Franz helped with the process of survival by gathering mushrooms, nuts, berries, apples, and pine cones for the cook-stove, as well as occasionally bumming for food from surrounding farms.

In 1950, when it became apparent that the educational and skilled-job opportunities were very limited in the small town to which they had been evacuated, his mother succeeded in moving the family back to Munich. Munich in 1950 was just barely digging out from under the ruins. Apartments were scarce, many schools were bombed out, and the children were stuffed into the few schools that were still open. The mood throughout the country was solemn. The eyes of the people were full of distrust, and only children made friends.

Though still a boy, Franz had to grow up fast. At age fourteen he was working fifty-three hours per week learning a skill. There were not many toys before this, and now there was no need or time for them either. Being fourteen meant that his life was devoted to these things: learning a skill, starting a life, finding self worth, being productive, and contributing toward the family's well-being. Since 1950, Franz has had a stepfather: a father that he never had before, a solid rock of a man, his hero and mentor.

The rapid and enormous changes in Franz's life continued. Once again his routine was uprooted, but this time it was with excitement and enthusiasm. The family took on the challenges of emigrating to the New World, and finally, on March 21, 1955, they arrived in America, where the family settled in New Jersey. In this new country of America, the routine turned into achievement. The need turned into purpose. Existence turned into goals. Now there were limitless possibilities for advancement and countless opportunities. Franz's father worked two eight-hour shifts. His mother cleaned houses all week; and on weekends, they both worked with migrant workers on local farms.

Being too young to work full time, Franz had to go back to school. However, every day after school and on weekends, he worked to help contribute to the family "Kist" (coffers).

Franz, at age nineteen, put $5 down on a building lot in a lake community. When he became of legal age at twenty-one, he built a two bedroom house on it. He lived there before and after serving his country in the US Army from 1963 to 1965. While in the service, he met Emily Ann Giles from Scott County, Virginia, and in 1966 the couple were married. Life continued to blossom. Sons were born in 1967 and 1968. The couple began to make timely investments in real estate. A third son was born in 1972. Things were looking up!

In 1977, the young family moved to Virginia, drawn by the opportunity to settle on a much larger piece of land near the small city of Bedford. Again, no notion of failure ever entered the mind of the immigrant. A ten-year teaching career was left behind in New Jersey. Mr. Beisser had a skill, a drive, and a hope that could have only been brought to fruition in this country. After building his third home, Franz started a printing shop in the basement of the new house. Just twenty years after incorporation, the business has now moved to its third location: a new 42,000 square-foot modern plant that produces high quality color printing. Franz has also invented the Johnny Slide (a handy product for the bathroom).

All three sons now operate the business with over thirty skilled employees, while their father has taken to retirement. Mr. Beisser keeps busy writing, oil painting, woodworking, and enjoying his many wonderful grandchildren. He continues to praise the Lord for His love, guidance, and hope of Glory.