Alexander Thomson Behr

BEHR - Alexander Thomson of Clarks Summit, PA formerly of San Diego, CA and Long Island, NY passed away Tuesday, January 24. He would have been 84 next month. Born in NY, he grew up in the Bronx and was the son of the late Henry and Sophia Behr. Alex was a Navy war veteran serving honorably in both World War II and the Korean Wars. Alex spent 20 years in the Nassau County Police Dept. proudly protecting its citizens and upholding the utmost respect for the criminal justice system. He began his law enforcement career as a foot patrolman in 1956 and had risen to the ranks of detective and retired as detective sergeant in 1976. Shortly after retirement, Alex moved to San Diego and attended Western Sierra Law School where he graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree. Upon graduation, he taught criminal justice classes to sailors at the San Diego Naval Base and to students atthe San Diego State University; he served the courts in San Diego and the City of Santee and he hld the position of code enforcement officer for San Diego County and National City. Upon moving to Clarks Summit in 2004, he performed volunteer work for the borough, attended council meetings and offered advice to the borough's police chief and code enforcement officer. His motto, "Here's the way we did it in San Diego". Yes, he truly was the neighborhood watchdog. He was very proud to have served the public. His life stories and jokes will be missed by all those who were fortunate to have known him. Alex was preceded in death by brothers, Henry and William and sisters Alice Welsh and Peggy Teufel. Surviving are sons Dennis of Franklin, MA and Alex and wife Kathy of Clarks Summit, PA; daughter Alice of NYC; grandchildren, Kristen Staso and husband Jason of Ivyland PA, and Michael of Hoboken, NJ. Final arrangements will be private. Memorial contributions may be made "in memory of Alexander T. Behr" to The Smithtown Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, 371 East Jeicho Tpke., Smithtown, NY 11787.