Robert Behan

Robert Carroll Behan, M.D., age 93, of Scott Twp., passed away Thursday evening, August 27, 2015. Robert was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 16, 1921, a son of the late Joseph Leo and Mabel (Mason) Behan. His early education was received in public schools in Brooklyn. He was selected to attend the prestigious Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, New Jersey, graduating in 1939. Robert’s academic grades were outstanding, and he was very active in the school’s sports especially basketball and baseball. Robert then attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ, and received his Bachelor’s degree in 1943. He was an exceptional undergraduate receiving the highest of honors, and was very active in the university’s sports programs. He was a member of the Seton Hall basketball team that was invited and played in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in 1943. His talents as a baseball player were noticed by professional scouts, and he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers along with actor, Chuck Connors, his very good friend and basketball and baseball teammate from Seton Hall Prep School and University. Robert’s love for sports also carried over into other areas. He was a great tennis player and won the City of Detroit Tennis Tournament one year. He was also an avid amateur golfer participating in many events and tournaments. Robert was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy serving during World War II, from October 13, 1943 to April 15, 1948, and then served in the U.S. Naval Reserves until 1954. Following graduation from medical school with a Doctor of Medicine degree in Psychiatry, he set up a private practice in Detroit, MI, and lived in Gross Point, MI from 1951 until the late 1970s. In 1979, Doctor Behan moved to Atascadero, California, and was employed at the Atascadero State Hospital. He retired from active practice in 2006. Following the death of his wife, the former Jean Young, in September 2013, Doctor Behan moved to the Webster area to be with his son. Besides his parents and his wife, Doctor Behan is preceded in death a sister, Marjorie (Tom) McCoy; and two brothers, Joseph Behan, during the battle of Pearl Harbor in 1944, and Richard Behan. He is survived by a daughter, Kathleen M. (William) Ingwersen; two sons, Robert C. (Barbara) Behan, Jr. and Richard L. Behan; two grandchildren: Jacqueline Behan and Dylan Behan; also a step-daughter, Julie Turner and many nieces and nephews. In keeping with Doctor Behan’s instructions, there will not be any formal services. Arrangements have been entrusted with Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.