James Richard "Jim" Behling

The Eagle River community lost a dedicated and unassuming servant, loving husband, father, brother, and friend with the passing of James "Jim" Richard Behling on July 11, 2023.
Jim was born in Racine, Wisconsin on August 3, 1947. Jim and his wife, Margaret, met in college and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last September. He was a dedicated husband and father who enjoyed cross-country camping trips with his family, attended countless school events and field trips, and coached all three of his children in a sport he never played but taught them to leave it all on the field. Same in life.
Margaret and Jim enjoyed over 20 years of retirement together in the Northwoods, with frequent visits from extended family and friends. He enjoyed a good laugh and loved pranks (both distributing and receiving). Jim cherished time in the outdoors boating, fishing, and pretending to hunt while eating Snickers in his deer-stand. He enjoyed reading, board games, teaching his grandkids to fish and play poker (for candy), and spending time minnow chasing with his four-legged friend Sam.
Jim enjoyed a 30-year career as a pharmaceutical process development scientist, passionately committed to drug development and patient health and safety; he found great satisfaction in mentoring others along their career path. He gained global recognition in his field, allowing him to maintain an active footprint during partial retirement as an independent consultant primarily supporting biotechnology start-ups. He was an active member of several philanthropic organizations and served on the Vilas County Board. Jim was a member of several Lion's Club chapters. He served as President in 1986 and received several awards recognizing his contributions, including the Service Award in 1991, Lion of the Year in 2006, and was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. The contribution closest to his heart was spearheading an annual fundraising effort for several years that allowed the Lion's Club to host a holiday party and purchase a Christmas gift for every child staying in The Shriner's Children's Hospital in Oak Park, IL.
He passed away in the home he loved on Rade Lake surrounded by family. To the very end, he did things his way and on his terms. A special thanks to Compassus Hospice for the excellent care he received.
Jim is survived by his wife: Margaret; two daughters: Andrea (Michael Agree) and Erica (Christopher Kelly); son: Justin; six grandchildren: Brianna, Jessica, Joseph, and Nathan (Agree), Logan and Finn (Kelly); brother: Bill (Midge); and beloved brother-in-law: Ron Wittman.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Lester and Cleo; nephew and godson: Patrick Behling; and sister-in-law: Shirley Wittman.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shriner's Hospital for Children
https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en
or the Vilas County Humane Society
https://www.vilascountypets.org/