Ransom Funeral Home
610 South Washington Street
Castalia, OH 44824
Phone: 419-626-6666
Fax: 419-684-5191
Email: ransom244@aol.com
Website: http://www.ransomfuneralhome.com
View All Obituaries from Ransom Funeral Home
Robert E. Behlen III, 62, Kelleys Island and Columbus, OH, died March 4, 2015, in Columbus, OH, after many decades' battle with diabetes.
Rob was born in Minneapolis on March 23, 1952, to Robert and Barbara Behlen.
In his early years, he lived in Chicago and North Olmsted where he started school. His family moved later to Rocky River, Ohio, where he attended and graduated from the Rocky River school system. He was active in Boy Scouts earning the rank of Eagle Scout and attended the Boy Scout World Jamboree at Coeur d'Alenen, Idaho in 1967, representing Greater Cleveland. He ran track and cross county in high school and into college. He managed the Rocky River boys swim team through high school.
He graduated from Marietta College in 1974. Later he enrolled at the Ohio State University, where he was awarded his Masters degree in Public Administration in 1978.
At an early age he became a sailor, initially sailing the family Thistle Class sailboat, number 98. His love of sailing led him to compete in many classes of sailing boats, including Stars, Fireballs, Thistles, Interlakes, Tartan Tens and many other classes. His love for sailing led him to his first job working as a sail maker for the Thomas sail loft in Rocky River. He worked there through high school and on breaks from college.
While at Ohio State, he initially worked for the Columbus Health Department, and then later the Ohio Health Department, looking at issues involving community health care systems. In May 1980, he started his career as the Director of Finance for the City of Grove City, Ohio. He retired from Grove City in July 1997, having served several mayors and members of city council. During his tenure, Grove City increased in population from 16,000 to 33,483 residents, and its yearly budget increased from 1.98 million dollars to 29.2 million dollars.
He had always had a passion for music which evolved through high school and college through his singing with various organizations and playing the folk guitar. Once in Columbus he became a member of the Singing Buckeyes Barbershop Chorus, with whom he sang and competed for many years, until recent years when his health no longer allowed his active involvement.
His parents preceded him in death, with his father passing away in April, 2004, and his mother in May, 2014. He is survived by his three siblings, Andreae (Charles) Behlen LeMaistre, Thomas, and Fritz (Michele); nieces Maggie and Kate; and long time friend Sari Kelley.
Rob's memorial service will be on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 3:00 PM at Zion United Methodist Church on Kelleys Island. Refreshments will follow after the service at the church.
The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Harmony Camp, http://www.harmonycamp.org/HCamp2015/www/. Ransom Funeral and Cremation Service, Castalia, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransomfuneralhome.com.
