To All,
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of another PJ, Don Behrends. Don succumbed to a long bout of
cancer the morning of February 16, 2018.
Don Joined the Air Force in January of 1967 and went through the pipeline schools, graduating at Eglin, AFB in July 1967. After graduation he served two tours in SEA where he participated in numerus lifesaving missions. Don was also assigned at the NASA space capsule recovery program in Houston, TX. His fondest memories were of his time in Pararescue and according to Liz, his wife, he always regretted leaving the PJ’s. He often talked
about the camaraderie and fellowship we all enjoy.
Don approached life as vigorously as he did when he was a PJ. He started out as an insurance salesmen and wound up owning his own agency. He moved on from there to establishing a lucrative horse and hay ranch in McKinney, Texas that he truly loved. Don will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him.
The Behrends family would like to extend their thanks to all the troops and especially the Pararescue group for your service to
our country.
Services for Don will be at a later date and will be posted as we receive them.
Don’s wife, Liz Kurtz, lives at 212 Northridge Park, Livingston, Texas 77351
When we gather in groups or reunions, we talk a lot about comradeship and what it means to us, and we buy each other drinks. Now it is time to buy Don his last drink. We can all send a condolence card and $10 (or whatever) to the family at the above address.
Some of us did not know Don or just met
him in passing with a hand shake. Those that worked with and knew him hold him in high regard as a warrior PJ, who now joins the squadron of PJ Rescue Angels who have made their final jump.
It would be immensely appreciated if those who have stories would write and share them with us.
When one of our PJ brothers passes it takes a piece of our hearts with him. Missing someone gets easier every day because, even though its one day further from the time we saw each other, it’s one day
closer to the next time we will.
This appeal does not come from the family, but from your brothers in the Pararescue Association.