One of Danville’s leading citizens, Kenneth E. Behring, passed away on June 25 just days after his 91st birthday. I recall his poignant answer during my last ALIVE Magazine interview. “Mister Behring where do you get your unbounded energy to do all the things you do?” He answered with humility. “I have such little time and so much to do for all the people who really need help…”
In September 2008 I wrote an article for ALIVE Magazine on Kenneth E. Behring entitled, “A Man on the Move.” He was an energetic philanthropist who did extraordinary works of charity in the United States and in over one hundred countries.
In my article, I used the word “Wheels” metaphorically to describe the man on the move who was literally born in a moving elevator when his mother was en route to the maternity ward and he never ever slowed down.
Ken Behring was born in Illinois and raised in Wisconsin, and in 2004 he penned his best-seller autobiography, “Road to Purpose,” revealing that he had earned his first million dollars by age 27 and shared what had given him the impetus to succeed beyond his wildest dreams. With his dynamic wife of seventy years, Pat Behring, at his side, he never considered the possibility of failure and approached each challenge with gusto and an inimitable drive to succeed. Behring exhibited the simple eloquence of determination, dedication, and a solid, “hard work” ethic.
Behring’s business successes and works of charity are too numerous to mention, however, a few monumental achievements define his love of life. Ken Behring bought and sold cars; invested in properties; developed the town of Tamarack in Florida; was one time majority owner of the Seattle Seahawks football franchise; planned and developed the Blackhawk housing community and golf courses; donated 2,800 acres to Mt. Diablo State Park; built the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in 1988; supported the Smithsonian’s Hall of Mammals at the Museum of Natural History, and the American History Museum in Washington, D.C..
On Ken Behring’s birthday in June 2000, he was eager to share his good fortune, as he founded the nonprofit venture, “Global Health and Education Foundation,” and financed and delivered over 1,100,000 wheelchairs to people in need of mobility in over 100 countries.
In 1988, Behring and partners built the world-class Blackhawk Museum that exhibits some of the nation’s finest classic car collections. After succeeding in multiple museum ventures, Behring challenged himself by spearheading 25 museums in China. The Blackhawk Museum today boasts several permanent exhibitions other than classic cars; Spirit of the Old West, Out of Africa, Into China, and The Wonderful World of Nature, featuring an extensive collection of natural history specimens and artifacts.
The legacy of the Kenneth E. Behring Global Health and Education Foundation will continue to be headed by sons David and Jeff Behring, and Mrs. Pat Behring will continue to chair Blackhawk Museum Volunteers who assist with docent tours and fundraising for the bus transportation of school children to visit the many permanent exhibitions at the Blackhawk Museum.
Our community was made better—extraordinary, in fact—largely due to the equally extraordinary efforts and man, Mr. Kenneth E. Behring.
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