Longtime Green Bay Packers photographer Vernon Biever, a highly-respected individual in the community and a Packer Hall of Famer, passed away on Wednesday October 13, 2010. He was 87 years old. Biever has been associated with The Green Bay Packers dating all the way back to 1941 when he began taking photographs as an 18-year-old freelancer for The Milwaukee Sentinel. He balanced life as a freelance photographer while also juggling a full semester at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Fast forward five years later when he became the Packers' official team photographer, offering his photography services for free in exchange for a sideline pass. Biever was lucky enough to capture some of the most memorable Packer moments, under some of the most colorful and illustrious coaches. From Curly Lambeau to Mike Sherman, a bond with the team that lasted six decades still continues to this day as his youngest son, Jim, remains the team photographer. When Biever's oldest son John was a freshman in high school, he started bringing him to Packer games, thus beginning his love of football, and piquing his curiosity into the world of photography and sports. While in high school, John shot the famous photo of Bart Starr's quarterback sneak for the winning touchdown in the "Ice Bowl," and eventually went on to work for Sports Illustrated. Vernon and son John were only two of six photographers to ever cover the first 35 Super Bowls. As decades went by, Vernon made life-long friendships that extended past the lens. Bart Starr, a longtime friend, was asked Thursday morning to reflect on Biever's career. "I'm sure it would be difficult for anyone to appropriately describe the impact that he had on the Packers because of his exceptional work." Starr goes on to say "I don't know of a photographer who did the type of work he did, who excelled as he did, for so long. It's one thing to be outstanding, but when you're outstanding for the length of time that he was, I find it almost mind-boggling." A Port Washington, Wisconsin native, Biever covered the Packers' five championships during the Vince Lombardi era and was named the NFL's photographer of the year in 1984. In 2002, he was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame along with wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Bart Starr recalls that familiar night when he introduced Biever at his induction banquet which he called an honor. "He was like one of the offspring of the Green Bay Packers organization. Every time you saw a photo, it had Vern Biever noted on it. It was an exceptional honor to be able to introduce him. We were very proud to be able to be there and witness that," said Starr. At the time of his induction, Biever had more first-place NFL winning photos in the contest than any other photographer. Vernon Biever left a legacy filled with dedication, devotion and gumption that inspired many on and off the field. His ability to capture some of the most extraordinary and celebrated photos in the history of the Green Bay Packers is noted not just behind the shutter but through his life-long friendships and love for Lambeau.