Christian Behnke

Christian H. Behnke KNOTTS ISLAND - Christian H. Behnke, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, was born May 31, 1925, in Schenectady, N.Y., and passed Aug. 26, 2009. His childhood was spent in Washington, D.C., where he became an Eagle Scout. He served his country in the 5th Marine Division and was assigned to the howitzer Glamour Gal, the gun that had been chosen to fire the first shot on the island of Iwo Jima. Because the media filmed this event he was given the nickname "Hollywood." In later years, he was annually asked to recount those experiences for a class at ODU. On Easter Sunday in 1948 he married his sweetheart, Lynda in St. Mathews Lutheran Church. That began a romance that lasted 61 years. They had four children and four grandchildren, all of whom adored him and thought they were his favorite. He retired from Conrail in 1985, and his travels as a conductor and a brakeman in the D.C. to New York corridor was the source of many a good story including that Joe Biden will talk to anyone! He moved to Knotts Island, N.C., in 1971 where he attended First Lutheran Church of Norfolk. His charming personality and generous spirit made him endeared by even casual acquaintances. The wonderful memories he gave us will be treasured always in our hearts. There will be no public service to honor his life. Any remembrances can be made to the charity, ELCA World Hunger.