KENNETH P. BEHR 1896-1974

KENNETH P. BEHR - 1957 "Speaking at the welcoming of the Mayflower II to NYC June 19, 1957." Photo & caption from Greg Powers, 1-11-05

 
Beryl Markham
1936 

	Hicks Field 1917-1918	Mail Pilot Barnstormer 1920	Floyd Bennett Field 1930-1961

 

	Special Events 1930-1961	R.M.S. Queen Mary 1967	Kenneth Behr's Album	Aviation Album 1932

 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES via email from Greg Powers, 1-13-05 Kenneth Behr's Nephew      Kenneth P. Behr was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1896. He joined the Army Flying Corp during WWI and was an instructor. After the war, he flew as a mail pilot with his good friend, Roscoe Turner, and others, and was a barnstormer.      In the early 1920s he joined the Army Reserve as a pilot and was reprimanded after he flew a bomber upside down over Atlantic City, NJ. The episode was reported in a New York City newspaper. Failing eyesight in the late 1920s relegated him to an administrative role in aviation.       He was appointed as assistant manager for air operations at Floyd Bennett Field in the early 1930s and rose to full manager in the mid 30s. In this position, he had the opportunity to meet many famous early aviators.      He held a government position in aviation during WWII and after the war became co-manager of LaGuardia Airport with Gen. Hamilton. He was appointed as a New York City Commissioner in the early 1950s and retired in the early 60s as manager of aviation for the City of New York.      He was a member of the Wings Club of New York City. (After his death in April 1974 a recent postcard greeting from "Chas. Lindbergh" was discovered in his effects. Lindbergh died four months later.)      Kenneth P. Behr died in Bayport, Long Island, NY in 1974.

 

Kenneth P. Behr died in Bayport, Long Island, NY in April, 1974. Personal communication from Greg Powers, 1-13-05   Editor's Note: If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper

 

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