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Robert Richard Behne, better known as Bob, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022. He was 88. Bob was born on July 30, 1934, during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression days in the Guymon area where he spent his entire life. His parents were Edward “Ed” Behne and Edna Hockett Behne. He was the 6 th of 8 children. The early years were rough due to the Dust Bowl and Depression. He would tell a story of how a local doctor probably saved his life, and likely his older brother Albert as well, by telling his mom to hang a wet sheet over their crib and bed to trap the dust that was slowly destroying their lungs.
Bob was an avid hunter and sometime fisherman during his younger years. He was particularly fond of elk hunting and was fortunate enough to have bagged a few Colorado bulls during his day. The horns from the 2 biggest bulls hang is his workshop to this day. He was also fond of hunting quail and pheasant with his dogs Nikki and Buck. In his later years, Bob spent a lot of time as a gunsmith. He really enjoyed tinkering with the mechanical aspects of the gun, and it frequently provided real challenges to repair old guns with limited parts availability. He always enjoyed the good conversation with fellow hunters and gun enthusiasts alike. He really enjoyed attending gun shows looking for old guns, talking with people and complaining about high prices!
He married Ramona Roa Behne on Feb 12, 1955. He and Ramona were very involved with their 4 children following along with them to sports and school activities. He only missed a few of his 2 son’s football games from the late 60’s to the early 80’s from Kids Inc. through high school, and he missed those games to go to Colorado to hunt elk. They were always encouraging their kids to work hard and do their best at everything they did, school, sports, work and play.
Bob’s career was spent in the construction business. His early years were spent driving a truck for Francis and Behne Construction, later Behne Construction. He was able to open a gravel pit and supply sand to Behne Construction for its concrete business for most of his working days. He sold the business to his nephew Ted Behne in late 1993, then continued to work in a limited capacity driving trucks and operating the sand pit / plant for several more years. Bob could operate just about any piece of equipment around from trucks to front end loaders to bulldozers. He enjoyed the work and the solitude it provided him. He could repair just about anything as well, though that wasn’t his favorite thing.
Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ramona, of the home, one daughter, Judy Behne Bustos of Amarillo and her husband Johnnie, two sons, Ric Behne and partner Julie Lambley of Guymon, and Russell Behne and wife Karen of Thornton, Colorado. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren – Elizabeth Allen of Mannford, Alyssa Behne of Thornton, Colorado, Josh Behne of Boulder, Colorado, Sera Hedrick Stevenson of the Dallas area, Ty Bustos of Amarillo and Alan Hedrick of Buffalo, New York and one great grandson, Sol Allen of Mannford. Bob is also survived by his brother Jim Behne of Purcell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Edna Behne, his daughter, Vickie Behne Hedrick, son in law Tim Hedrick, former daughter in law Alana Wiegel, infant grandson Matthew Robert Behne, 2 brothers, Louis and Albert Behne, 4 sisters, Pearl Behne Green, Dora Behne Sales, Mary Behne Brune and Dorothy Behne Farrington.
Bob was a wonderful husband and father. He was kind, full of love, taught us much and had a strong hand whenever, wherever and however it was needed. He will be missed by many.
Rosary services will take place 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2022, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Guymon, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will take place 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Guymon, Oklahoma with Fr. Christopher Brashears officiating. Interment will follow at Elmhurst cemetery in Guymon.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence at www.hensonnovak.com.
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