Harry C. Behr, 90, of Roscoe, IL formerly of Thurmont, MD died peacefully on Friday January 15, 2010 at Beloit Memorial Hospital, Beloit, WI after a short illness. He resided in Assisted Living at North Pointe Terrace in Roscoe, IL at the time of his death.
He was born on August 24, 1919 in Beverly, NJ the son of Harry C. A. Behr and Helen (Pell) Behr. Harry was a graduate of William
Penn High School in York, PA. He married June V. Smith on September 11, 1937 in Elkton, MD. She predeceased him on September 21, 2008.
Harry had been employed by A.B. Farquhar Co., York, PA as a Project Manager. After World War II he was employed by Frick Co, Waynesboro, PA for 22 years and held positions as Plant Manager, Vice President of Manufacturing and Assistant to the President. In 1968 he left Frick Co and was named Vice President of Manufacturing for SI Handling Systems, Inc in Easton, PA. He accepted a position as Vice President of Aerojet-General Corporation, Fredrick MD in 1972. In 1974 along with a business partner, he started a parcel sorting business, The Nazareth Group, originally located in Nazareth, PA and then moved to Waynesboro, PA. After a few years the business changed to a contract engineering business and is still in operation as Waynesboro Design. He retired in 1984.
Harry previously held memberships in several professional societies including the American Society of Metals, Society of Manufacturing Engineers as well as the American Ordinance Association and the American Production and Inventory Control Society.
He was a World War II veteran and served stateside as a General Clerk in Fort Dix, NJ and Fort Croft, South Carolina and Fort Meade in Laurel, Maryland. He belonged to and served as Vice President of the Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club under the call letters W3DEK. The organization assisted in imparting Civil Defense Information in times of emergency. He also belonged to the EAA.
He was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, MD. Harry had a great commitment to his faith and served as a sacristan at St. Joseph’s Church for many years. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society and Right to Life.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 0168 in Thurmont, MD and an avid golfer and member of the Waynesboro Country Club. He was a member of Lions International and served on the Planning and Zoning Committee for the town of Thurmont.
Harry (know as Bud to many of his family and friends) enjoyed woodworking and carving and produced many beautiful pieces that he freely gave to his family and friends. He enjoyed sailing and built his own sailboat and kayak. He also restored many religious statues to their original grandeur for his church and the Basilica in Emmitsburg. While he resided in Assisted Living he created bargello needlework and won a first place ribbon in the Senior Art Fair in Milwaukee, WI.
Survivors include four daughters, Joyce (Eugene) Rosentsteel, Emmitsburg, MD; Loretta (Edward) Wolfe, Ortanna, PA; Patricia (Ronald) Blum, Beloit, WI; Marian (Jeffrey) Walter, Carroll Valley, PA; two sisters Winona Smith of Winchester, MA and Ava (Gordon) Benson of New Ipswich, NH; fourteen grandchildren, thirty two great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
He was pre-deceased in death by his parents; two brothers Roger and Donald and twin grandsons James and John Wolfe.
Harry will be greatly missed by his family and his extended family at North Pointe.
The wake will be held at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 210 W. Main Street, Emmitsburg on Wednesday, January 20th from 7-9 PM with the Rosary at 8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 21 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, Md. with Rev. Michael J. Kennedy, C.M. as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s New Cemetery on Mother Seton Dr.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, MD.
A memorial service will be held at North Pointe Terrace, 5601 E. Rockton Rd., Roscoe, IL on Saturday, January 30th at 2:00 PM.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harry C. Behr, please visit our flower store.
He was born on August 24, 1919 in Beverly, NJ the son of Harry C. A. Behr and Helen (Pell) Behr. Harry was a graduate of William
Penn High School in York, PA. He married June V. Smith on September 11, 1937 in Elkton, MD. She predeceased him on September 21, 2008.
Harry had been employed by A.B. Farquhar Co., York, PA as a Project Manager. After World War II he was employed by Frick Co, Waynesboro, PA for 22 years and held positions as Plant Manager, Vice President of Manufacturing and Assistant to the President. In 1968 he left Frick Co and was named Vice President of Manufacturing for SI Handling Systems, Inc in Easton, PA. He accepted a position as Vice President of Aerojet-General Corporation, Fredrick MD in 1972. In 1974 along with a business partner, he started a parcel sorting business, The Nazareth Group, originally located in Nazareth, PA and then moved to Waynesboro, PA. After a few years the business changed to a contract engineering business and is still in operation as Waynesboro Design. He retired in 1984.
Harry previously held memberships in several professional societies including the American Society of Metals, Society of Manufacturing Engineers as well as the American Ordinance Association and the American Production and Inventory Control Society.
He was a World War II veteran and served stateside as a General Clerk in Fort Dix, NJ and Fort Croft, South Carolina and Fort Meade in Laurel, Maryland. He belonged to and served as Vice President of the Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club under the call letters W3DEK. The organization assisted in imparting Civil Defense Information in times of emergency. He also belonged to the EAA.
He was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, MD. Harry had a great commitment to his faith and served as a sacristan at St. Joseph’s Church for many years. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society and Right to Life.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 0168 in Thurmont, MD and an avid golfer and member of the Waynesboro Country Club. He was a member of Lions International and served on the Planning and Zoning Committee for the town of Thurmont.
Harry (know as Bud to many of his family and friends) enjoyed woodworking and carving and produced many beautiful pieces that he freely gave to his family and friends. He enjoyed sailing and built his own sailboat and kayak. He also restored many religious statues to their original grandeur for his church and the Basilica in Emmitsburg. While he resided in Assisted Living he created bargello needlework and won a first place ribbon in the Senior Art Fair in Milwaukee, WI.
Survivors include four daughters, Joyce (Eugene) Rosentsteel, Emmitsburg, MD; Loretta (Edward) Wolfe, Ortanna, PA; Patricia (Ronald) Blum, Beloit, WI; Marian (Jeffrey) Walter, Carroll Valley, PA; two sisters Winona Smith of Winchester, MA and Ava (Gordon) Benson of New Ipswich, NH; fourteen grandchildren, thirty two great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
He was pre-deceased in death by his parents; two brothers Roger and Donald and twin grandsons James and John Wolfe.
Harry will be greatly missed by his family and his extended family at North Pointe.
The wake will be held at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 210 W. Main Street, Emmitsburg on Wednesday, January 20th from 7-9 PM with the Rosary at 8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 21 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, Md. with Rev. Michael J. Kennedy, C.M. as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s New Cemetery on Mother Seton Dr.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, MD.
A memorial service will be held at North Pointe Terrace, 5601 E. Rockton Rd., Roscoe, IL on Saturday, January 30th at 2:00 PM.