U. Max Behr

A Certified Executive Chef, elected National Chef of the Year for the American Culinary Federation in 1984 and was elected to the American Academy of Chefs in 2003, having formerly served as Chair. At the age of 19, Mr. Behr signed on as a chef/steward in the German Merchant Marines. He began his career in North America, working for the Sheraton Hotel Corp. and Stephen Crane Associates in Montreal. He was transferred to Dallas, TX to work for the Port O’Call Restaurants and then to Kon-Tiki Restaurant in Cleveland. He then went to Columbus to be the opening Chef of the Christopher Inn. He remained there for 7 years before returning to Cleveland to become Division Supervising Chef for the Interstate United Corp. Mr. Behr served as the Mid Atlantic Supervisor for the American Culinary Federation Educational Institute under the United States Department of Labor. Since 1979, Mr. Behr has been president of Max Behr Associates, Inc., serving as a foodservice chef consultant to major national companies and then as a distributor in Ohio for RC Fine Foods and other fine specialty products. Mr. Behr is a member of the Pilgrim Christian Church in Chardon, where he served as a deacon and participated in Men’s Fellowship activities. He was a member of the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a guest teacher for the Back to School Program. Mr. Behr was a member of Village Lodge #274, F.&A.M., Burton and Aladdin Shrine in Cleveland. He enjoyed working in his yard and listening to classical music. Mr. Behr was a talented musician, playing the piano, and other instruments. He was one of only 100 members nationally of the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque inducted in 1975. In 1991, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the ACF, Cleveland Chapter, Inc. and in 1992 accepted the American Academy of Chef’s Chairman’s Medal and 2003 was inducted into their Hall of Fame.Survivors include his wife Nicki (nee: Shepple) Behr of Chardon Twp., daughters Karlee Behr of Chardon Twp. and Laura (Chuck) Privara of Antioch, TN, sons David (Heather) Behr of Chardon, Steven (Tina) Behr of Bedford and James (Jodi) Behr of Chardon Twp., grandchildren Leanne, Charlie, Tara, Cody, Jacob, Tyler, Samantha, John, Cassandra, Adrianne and Alexandria, brother Sigurd (Elvira) Behr of Monheim, Germany. His Parents: Max Karl and Martha Minna (nee Didlaukis) Behr are deceased. The family suggests donations be made to the Memorial Fund of Pilgrim Christian Church, 202 S. Hambden St., Chardon, OH 44024 or the American Academy of Chef’s Scholarship Fund, St. Augustine, FL.