Roll Call Tribute

Joseph Carroll "Joe" Behne, Jr. 

September 30, 1927 - January 4, 2025 

Joseph C. Behne, Jr. passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday January 4, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He lived a life of service, achievement, and love.

He was born in Abilene, Texas to Joseph C. Behne, Sr. and Peggy Behne. He attended Lee Elementary school in Abilene prior to the family relocating to Dallas. There he attended Woodrow Wilson, Grenier and finally Sunset High School where he graduated in 1944. After finishing school he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific for a brief time prior to the end of the war as an airborne electronics crewman. He returned stateside and attended Texas A&M University, earning a degree in mechanical engineering and the University of Texas, where he studied petroleum engineering. He returned to active duty in Korea, serving on the USS Philippine Sea as an electronics technician for flight squadron VF112.

After the military, he worked as a petroleum engineer for Standard Oil Company of California. He later contributed to groundbreaking research during his lengthy career (1956-1994) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. His work at the Laboratory included contributions on the Rover, Sherwood and Pluto projects - where he was instrumental in the design of a nuclear reactor propulsion test bed. From 1977-1989 he served as the LLNL nuclear Test Director at the Nevada National Security Site (formally the Nevada Test Site), where he worked as a major contributor for the US/USSR joint verification tests. Later, he participated in the Department of Energy/OSIA Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT) verification team; serving as a designated member of the United States delegation to the US/Russia TTBT coordinating group. After retiring from the Lab, he was a self-employed nuclear explosives safety consultant.

Behne was a beloved father to his three children — David Behne (deceased 2012), Dan Behne, and Julie Korhummel (Russell) and a cherished grandfather to Megan and Michael Korhummel, and Eric Behne and his wife Janal. He had two great grandchildren: Ellis Behne and Abigail Korhummel. His long-time companion, Maria Romantini, was by his side for many years, sharing a bond filled with love and companionship. He was predeceased by his parents Peggy and Joseph Behne Sr., as well as his younger brother David Behne of College Station, Texas.

Throughout his life, Behne relished traveling the world and pursuing a love for aviation - earning a commercial pilot's license and flying numerous small airplanes. Later in life he enjoyed attending local weekly pizza luncheons with his friends and former colleagues.

Known for his quiet strength, sharp intellect and quit wit, he inspired those around him with his wisdom and kindness. His life was a testament to hard work, resilience, and love for family.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.