Richard Behr Obituary
Richard Perry Behr
August 9, 1948 - September 24, 2025
Richard Perry Behr lifted off this Earth for the final time on August 24, 2025, accompanied by angels. He passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family and friends and much love. A resident of both Charlottesville, Va. and Edgartown, Mass., Rick was born on August 9, 1948 in Boston. He grew up abroad when his father was in the foreign service and later returned to the states where he attended Burgundy Farms Country Day School, the Fessenden School, Avon Old Farms School and Colorado College. He loved playing soccer growing up and was the captain of the undefeated Varsity soccer team at Fessenden under the inspirational and greatly admired coach Harry Boyadjian. At Colorado College Rick was proud to be part of a team of students that helped develop the block program at the college. Summers were spent on Martha's Vineyard with family and friends, often riding his bike to Wasque to go fishing, and riding his beloved horse Beetle alongside the "barn girls." An adventurer at heart, Rick crewed on a schooner in the Caribbean, led white-water rafting trips on the Colorado River, and finally found his true passion as a hot-air balloon pilot. He met his mentor and lifelong friend Buddy Bombard soon after college, and he spent five wonderful years flying over the castles, vineyards, and Alps of France and Switzerland with the Buddy Bombard Society. He was on the bus coming back from one of his final flights in Switzerland when a young woman sat next to him and asked him what he was going to do. He said he had no idea, and that woman told him he needed to go meet her brother, John Rogan, who had just started the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia. Rick's father had graduated from UVA, so he already had some connection to the area. It was a friendship from the very start. John and his wife Felicia persuaded him to begin a hot air ballooning program at the inn, and Bear Balloon Corporation was born. Thousands of residents and visitors have enjoyed the birds-eye, treetop view floating over the beautiful Virginia countryside during Rick's magical forty-year career in Charlottesville. A prominent member of the ballooning community, Rick's dedication to safe flying earned him the prestigious Ed Yost Master Pilot Award, given to those pilots who have demonstrated skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for forty years or more as an active lighter-than-air pilot. Rick loved travel, bicycling, fishing, animals, apple pie, and reading a good book. Most of all he loved his family, friends, and cat Oscar. His two children Vanessa and Chris were the most important part of his life, and he let everyone know it. Rick never met a stranger, and he developed many wonderful friendships over the years. His outgoing spirit led him to the community theatre in Charlottesville where one of his favorite roles was playing the wizard in The Wizard of Oz. He also believed in charitable giving and in service to others. He flew his balloon at numerous charitable events, raising money for good causes. At area schools, he taught children about the wonders and science of flight. For thirty years, Rick led a monthly soup kitchen at Christ Episcopal Church. His spaghetti was always a big hit, and he offered a smile and a serving of hope with every meal. The last two months of his life gave Rick the opportunity for a long goodbye. Returning to Martha's Vineyard last month for the final time, he was able to visit his favorite places and share his memories with the special people in his life and they with him. Returning home to Charlottesville, he connected with the people in his life who had meant so much to him. He was very grateful for this time, and he treasured every memory and farewell. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Frederic Howell Behr and Jeanne Perry White Behr; and by his younger brother, Peter. Rick is survived by his daughter, Vanessa; his son Christopher (and his lady Ashton); his older brother, Eric and wife Nancy; his nephews and nieces (Fritz, Cassie, Alex, Matthew, and Marcus); and great-nephews and nieces (Mollie, Kellan, Alana, Norah, London, and Tristan). Special thanks to his life-long physician, John Lanham, the incredible team of Hospice of the Piedmont, and the kind people at Teague Funeral home. Rick waged a hard-fought battle against pulmonary fibrosis, and he has earned his rest. His family and friends wish him fair winds and send him off with love.
A celebration of Rick's life is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you make a donation of your time or gifts to organizations that support people or animals in need.
Teague Funeral Service
Published by Daily Progress on Sep. 6, 2025.