Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)

Subject: Obit: David Behm
From: curmudgeon
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 04:01 PM

David Behm, dedicated musician, devotaed friend and grand person, departed peacefully this morning, after a sixteen month battle with cancer.

Most of you here on Mudcat prbably never had the fortune to know, let alone meet David, unless you came to one of the Friday night sessions, or were at the one Sunhearth festival or the single Getaway he attended, or the Portsmouth Maritine Folk Festivals that he was part of prior to this year.

David was one of those rare musicians who was entirely eclectic in his singing, moving smoothly from Sovay to Barrett's Privateers to The Lightening Express to A Capital Ship. His guitar work was simple and straightforward, and always firm as one would expect from a German. When David was in a session, no one was allowed to mess up the tempo.

In addition to his wonderful singing, David was a most accomplished instrumentalist performing as part of The Angel Band throughout the Northeeast U.S. and twice, by invitation, at O Carolan festivals in Ireland.

When his affliction was first diagnosed, David adhered to medical advice and underwent months of debilitating chemotherapy. But in April, the nausea, tiredness and overall weakness was interfering with his life. Deciding that quality was more important then quantity, David ceased the treatments and commenced to really live the rest of his days.

During the summer, David along with Bob Frost and Emery Hutchins, spent lots of hours in the recording studio of the late Chip Chase, putting together a collection of his favorite songs, staories and recitations. At the completion of this work, David arranged to have a limited number of CDs produced to give away to friends. In similar fashion, he declared that there should be no memorial, but rather a party to celebrate his life and times, "No tears!"

David often opined that, if you were good, when you died, you would get "the chicken dinner." Lets hope there's an ample supply of chickens wherever he may be - Tom Hall

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 04:15 PM

Ah, this is sad. I have fond memories of the night at the Press Room when David, in rare form, performed a rousing version of "Jesse James" and then went off into the Blue Sky Boys and a bunch of old timey treasures.
I used to love to watch when he went off to the bar or the Men's Room. David invariably and somewhat arrogantly (he had no doubt it was an honor) asked some blushing female to hold his guitar. Have to admit I held the honor more than once. He is one of a kind and will be sorely missed.

Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 05:05 PM

Not a week ago we had one hell of a session in his hospice, and
David appeared to be enjoying himself very much. A good send-off to a truly larger than life character.

Pass my hugs around, Tom. He'll be missed, but always remembered.

Love, Jeri, in Toronto, past Gananogue

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 06:57 PM

My spot at The Press Room was on the corner of the table between Tom and David -- so Tom's concertina and David's guitar would "keep me honest" and I could sing harmony with them both.

Now there's a big gap at the table and a few songs like "I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home" and "Four Rode By" and a version of "Arthur McBride" I've never heard anywhere else that may not be heard there again.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 07:00 PM

I just noticed Tom had not posted the link to one of the last local articles about David, so here it is --

David

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: JudyB
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 09:10 PM

Peace to David and my sympathy to his family and friends.

Hugs,
JudyB

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 10:40 PM

For the last 18 or so years I'd hear David's voice every time I went to the Friday nite sessions at the Press Room. Always, always he sang with spirit & spunk, it was his life style & it came through cleary & soulfully when he opened his mouth. It's been a pleasure to have known him & to have heard him & to have sung with him. Sending him along with one last chorus will be quite fitting, it's just like him.
Good bye David

Barry

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Dec 06 - 11:55 AM

I would hope that when I leave, I can leave like this gent. Big party the week before, folks laughing and celebrating a life, and then on my way. His voice is now found in those that knew him, and is in no danger of disappearing. God be good to him.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: CET
Date: 24 Dec 06 - 05:59 PM

Like Mick said. This was a life well lived. My sympathies to his family and to all his friends.

Edmund

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Dec 06 - 08:50 PM

I didn't know David well. I just assumed that he'd always be around, another fine musician and singer, not someone to worry about. And I was surprised when Tom gave me the CD last shanty sing with the word that Dave was in hospice. Damn!

I'm glad to hear there was a final session with his close friends. It doesn't get better than that.

You know, we're all supposed to be immortal...

But the music goes on.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 11:01 AM

Well said, Charley -- we're all supposed to be immortal.

I've got twenty-some-odd years (some of them pretty odd) of photographs of David, especially St. Patrick's Day, with The Cuckoo's Nest, The Main Brace, The Great Bay Company and other configurations (Eel's Foot, Maple Leaf Boys, etc.), music parties and gatherings, that he shared with Tom. And then there's the instrumental Irish music group The Angel Band that he shared with others of our musical circle.

A photo of him at the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival can be found at www.folkhorizons.org -- Go to Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival and click on Performers -- he's at the top.

Better are Barbara Benn's photos of David at the 2004 PMFF at 2004 PMMFF -Scroll down for "Chris Stevens and Friends" in front of Cafe Brioche.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: GUEST,Mary Faux
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 05:56 PM

David and I shared a strong, very strong love/hate relationship but always a relationship of trust--open hugs from his brothers and "Ma Behm" who, before she passed away confided in David that she suffered from CRS--can't remember shit. At this moment I can only remember the loving side--and as for the hate side? Well like his Mom--I can't remember shit. we always know David cqn be counted on to sing and play Nancy long, hard and beautifully...and many of us do better because of his example.

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Dec 06 - 06:19 PM

Note: "Nancy" is David's Martin.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 10:59 AM

David's obituary finally ran in the Portsmouth (NH) Herald this morning --
obit

and in Foster's Daily Democrat (Dover, NH) with a photo --

Foster's obit


Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 12:13 PM

Rest in peace, Ol' Hoss...

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: GUEST,Tammi J Truax
Date: 28 Dec 06 - 12:24 PM

Rest in peace, Angel man.

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: GUEST,Gabriel Behm
Date: 29 Dec 06 - 02:21 PM

Wow! just found this page when I googled my dad's name. This is so nice to be able to read these loving word's.
I thank everyone for your love and support.
Linn: Thank for posting those pic's.
Tom: I bet he got a heeping plate of that " big chicken dinner"
If i don't make it back fo the party i just wanted to say thank you and i love you all.
Keep playing beautiful music he will be there in spirit.
                              
gabe Behm

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Dec 06 - 07:42 PM

Gabe,

Email me at [e-mail] -- I've got some stuff pages back when Googling David that you may not have found, plus of course, stuff in my collection you may be interested in.

Hope you check back here.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: GUEST,Dave & Mary Lou
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:11 AM

It's been a pleasure to have known Dave and to hear him sing.We now live in SC but will always remember Friday nights at the Press Room while we lived in NH.
Dave was one of a kind and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

Subject: RE: Obit: David Behm (23 Dec 2006)
From: GUEST,FarmerJeff
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 03:30 PM

Haven't been to a Friday session in more than a year, but I was saddened to hear this news. On the other hand, I had no idea Dave was 70. That is a testament to the energy he gave off. I always thought he was in his early 50's.

Hat's off to you Dave, I can perfectly picture you blasting out Barrett's Privateers or "leapin and prancin'" as Bossy goes through her aerobics routine.