Born August 21, 1932 in Washington, DC he was the son of the late Albert F. Behnke and Rose M. (Hausner) Behnke.
Roland was raised in Beltsville, MD. His family owned a nursery-garden center, Behnke Nurseries. In his early years he helped with the business. He entered the U.S. Air Force through the Aviation Cadet Program in 1953 and graduated with the class 55-Q. His first assignment was with the Strategic Air Command as a B-47 co-pilot in Lincoln, NE. He flew many planes during the course of his years in the Air Force including the C-119, T-39, T-6, C-130, B-25, and the C-47. He was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medals for flights while in Vietnam. He continued his Air Force career until he retired in 1976.
He returned to Beltsville and in 1980 became President of Behnke Nurseries Company. In years following, he was active in Rotary, the Maryland Agriculture Commission, and the Maryland Nursery and Landscapers Association. In 1995, he was named Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Maryland University College.
In 1985, he found property in Southern Maryland and in 1988 subsequently built his dream log-home to which he retired in 1995. He enjoyed many years of fishing, traveling and visiting with family.
Roland is survived by his wife of fifty two years, Eleanor (Fitter ) Behnke, his daughter and son-in-law Jeanne and Jim Byrnes of Glenn Dale, MD, his son and daughter-in-law Mark and Charlene Behnke of Perry Hall, MD, his son and daughter-in-law Carl and Sara Behnke of W. Lafayette, IN, seven grandchildren, Ian and Christian Byrnes, Timothy and Benjamin Behnke, and Emily, Nicholas, and Michael Behnke. He is also survived by his sister, Sonja Festerling of W. Friendship, MD, two brothers, William Behnke of Riverside, CA and Albert Behnke of Arlington, VA and many nieces and nephews and friends.
Friends and family will remember Roland as a generous, principled man, a strong leader, devoted husband, and proud father and grandfather.
Family will receive friends on Friday, January 22, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, 20850 Langley Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Interment will be private. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Greenbelt, MD.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jim Byrnes, Mark Behnke, Carl Behnke, Ian Byrnes, Christian Byrnes and Timothy Behnke.
Contributions may be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680, or Hospice House of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD 20650.
