Erwin Henry Von Behren Jr.

Erwin (Sonny or Erv) Von Behren Jr. of Bradenton, Florida passed away on Sunday, October 23rd after reaching the age of 82.

Sonny was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 19, 1940 to Erwin and Lottie (Pehle) Von Behren . He graduated from Cleveland High School, but his true interest, before, after, and sometimes during high school, was the Alky Burners Hot Rod Club of St. Louis of which he was a founding member. Although a true Midwest boy at heart, he enlisted in the Navy and thus began a twenty year career in the Silent Service (nuclear submarines). Having traveled the world under the water, he surfaced and became a Merchant Seaman for another twenty years. When asked for pictures from his travels, he showed his true engineer heart and shared pictures of his engine rooms. Sonny continued to tell sea stories through his membership in the USS Sailfish Base (Submarine Veterans) located in Venice, Florida.

After graduating high school and before shipping out, Sonny wooed and wed his feisty love, Georgia in 1958. Together they had three children and raised their family while moving a dozen times across the country and the Pacific. His career demanded a lot of time away from home, yet he rarely missed an opportunity to impart his exacting German standards on his children who each learned to drive a stick shift under his eagle eye. Sonny shared his love of cars with his eight grandchildren by driving them around in lawnmower trailers, tractors, utility vehicles, and in the bed of his own father’s vintage pickup truck.

After enduring twenty winters Chicago-style, Sonny and Georgia built their dream home and pool in Bradenton, Florida. A reengineered Sonny emerged and was seen admiring his ten acres with a beach towel wrapped around his waist. In retirement, he finally had the time and means and bought a 1950 Oldsmobile just like the one he drove when he first met Georgia. The car won many trophies at the car shows he entered to his pride and delight.

Sonny is survived by his wife, Georgia, his children: Rachel (Matthew) Brody, Renee (Brian Hufker) Von Behren, and Michael (Michele) Von Behren. The Von Behren ship has lost its rudder but is ready to set sail using the enduring lessons he taught with fair winds and following seas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Salvation Army in Erwin’s name.

A Memorial Service is planned for December 12 at 1:30 pm at Sarasota National Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with honors.