Melvin R. Behnke

Melvin R. Behnke

Melvin R. Behnke, born in 1929 in San Diego, CA died peacefully in his sleep November 30, 2021, in Wasilla, AK. He married Margaret Jo Stevenson in San Diego in November 1948. They drove to Alaska on a vacation in 1955, and stayed to homestead in the Meadow Lakes area, where they raised four children.

Mel and Peggy celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in November 2018, before she passed away in 2019. https://www.frontiersman.com/news/love-and-marriage-wasilla-couple-celebrating-years/article_8623ad1e-eb0a-11e8-896f-8792c92f1fdb.html

Mel was a skilled carpenter, building his own home and helping neighbors build theirs. He designed facilities and oversaw construction and maintenance at the Palmer Correctional Center from 1964 to 1985. He was a competent electrician, welder, and mechanic. He loved to fly and work on aircraft, and took pride in the J-3 Cub that he bought in the 1960s and rebuilt in the 1990s. The hangar he built and the grass airstrip he groomed were also joys, though the dandelions that invaded the airstrip were constant foes, and he conscripted visiting grandchildren to help keep them at bay. He participated in the local Experimental Aircraft Association, and in later years greatly valued meeting other pilots monthly for breakfast.

His children smilingly remember his graceful ice-skating on the homestead lake and his reading a favorite picture book to them and to his grandchildren. Pierre Bear tells the story of a loving, adventurous, competent bear who builds a snug cabin in the wilderness for him and his family, provides food and clothing, and teaches his offspring how to do the same. Much like Mel himself.

Mel and Peggy are survived by their children, Steve (Larri) of Juneau; Dan, of Timonium, MD; Jean (Ron), of Longview, WA; and Melissa (David), of Palmer. They have seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.