Paul Oluf Behrends, 86, died on April 15, 2021. He was the son of Oluf and Marie Therese Ichterz Behrends and brother to Ralph Eugene Behrends. He was born on June 7, 1934 in St. Paul, MN and grew up in the Westwood area of Los Angeles, CA. After graduating from University High School, he enrolled for one in UCLA. He then was accepted into the U.S Naval Academy and graduated in 1957.
After Graduating from the Academy, Paul married his wife, Virginia (Gin) and they embarked on a 20 year Naval career, with Paul retiring in 1977 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his career, he was stationed at Long Beach CA, Gorton/New London, CT, San Diego CA, HI, and Charleston, SC. During his tours, he served on the Yorktown (CVS -10), Salmon (SS-573), Redfish (AGSS-395), Pickerel (SS-524), and Thornback (SS-418). While on the Salmon, Paul was qualified to command submarines. He later earned a second Bachelor’s degree from the Naval Post Graduate school in Monterey, CA. Paul served in numerous shore billets in HI and Charleston before retiring in 1977.
After retiring from the Navy, Paul entered private industry working in shipbuilding, repair and overhaul. During this time in industry, Paul served as the Director of Nuclear Engineering and the power systems engineer for the CG 47 class cruisers among other positions. Paul entered a second retirement and continued to support Navy and Coast Guard ship building efforts as a consulting engineer.
Throughout his career with the Navy and private industry, Paul earned a number of certifications and licenses. Among these are the qualification to command submarines, Engineering Duty Officer, and Professional Engineering license. He was also a docking officer for the Navy shipyard repair and overall efforts.
When not working, Paul had a number of interests. He earned his amateur radio license at the age of 15 and earned the Extra class license. Like his brother Ralph, Paul earned the Eagle rank in the Boy Scouts and remained active in scouting programs with his sons, who both earned the Eagle rank. While Paul was working in private industry, he became involved in bike racing, first as a racer and later as a race official, earning a Class A certification.
Paul not only was able to use is Naval skills and knowledge everyday at work, but he also acted as the Docking Officer/Dockmaster for the dry docking and overhaul of the USS Constellation located in Baltimore Harbor
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Oluf and Marie, his brother Ralph, and his son Eugene. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gin Behrends, his son John (Barbara), daughter in law Sherry, grandchildren Rebecca Vander Linde, Natasha Liriano, Chris Behrends (Mary Kate), and 4 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or the US Naval Academy Alumni Association.
Plans for a private burial service are pending.
Fair winds and following seas. We have the watch.
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