Siegfried Arnold Behla

Siegfried Arnold Behla

Siegfried Arnold Behla, 74, of Charlottesville, died peacefully at his home with his family Saturday, December 12, 2009.

The youngest of six boys, Siegfried was born August, 16, 1935, in Spremberg, Germany, to Max and Anna Behla.

He studied banking at the Bank fuer Gemeinwirtshaft in Hamburg. In 1957, he immigrated to the United States, settled in New Jersey, and shortly thereafter was drafted into the United States Army.

After his honorable discharge in 1960, he enrolled in the Institute of Banking and began a 30 year-career with Chase Manhattan Bank, rising to vice president for international operations and traveling extensively in Europe and southeast Asia.

After meeting his wife, Barbara, in 1961, they married and settled in the Bronx, New York. In 1970, they moved to Bergenfield, New Jersey, and later Norwood, New Jersey, where they raised their family. In 1995, they moved to Charlottesville.

Siegfried, affectionately known as Ziggy, is remembered for his love of family and friends, laughter, enthusiasm for life, good food and travel, playful nature, hard work ethic and do-it-yourself spirit.

Siegfried is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara; his three children and their spouses, Karen and Luke Rendleman of Charlottesville, Linda Behla and Jeff Davis of San Anselmo, California, and Andrew Behla and MichŠle Krolik of Woodland Hills, California; his four grandchildren, John and Katherine Rendleman, and Will and Jake Davis; his brothers, Werner and Guenter Behla of Hamburg, Germany; and numerous nieces and nephews in Germany.

The family wishes to thank the many physicians, nurses and staff of the University of Virginia Medical Center for their support. We are especially grateful to Dr. August Sanusi, Dr. Michael Williams, Kim Leake, RN, and Dr. Mitch Rosner for their compassionate care.

A celebration of Siegfried's life will take place 3 p.m. Friday, December 18, 2009, at Church of Our Saviour on 1165 E. Rio Road, Charlottesville, and a reception will follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial gift to benefit the UVA Cancer Center, P.O. Box 800773, Charlottesville, VA 22903.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.