Harvey Ervin Behrend

Harvey Behrend, 82, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, passed away on August 8, 2025.

Harv was born on October 22, 1942, in Marinette, Wisconsin, the son of Ervin and Bertha (Thede) Behrend. He was raised on a small farm, and after graduating from Marinette High School, enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In 1964, right before he started his senior year, he met Ruth Straka, another Wisconsin farm girl. They met on a blind date, and as the saying goes, “the rest is history”. In 1965, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering. Four days after his graduation, he and Ruth were married. They left Wisconsin in a pink Oldsmobile, pulling a U-Haul with all their possessions inside.

Harv started his career with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office while Ruth hunted for a place to live. Once they settled into an apartment, Ruth also found work. In 1966, they welcomed a son, Clint, into their family. Two years later in 1968, along came their daughter, Mona. They left their apartment in 1971 and moved into their current home. Harv continued working at the Patent Office, becoming their nuclear expert. He enjoyed the challenge of seeing the latest invention applications and spent much time researching the files to be sure nothing slipped by him. All in all, he spent 40 years with the Patent Office, retiring in 2005.

Harv loved his cars, especially sports cars with big engines. His first such car was a 1969 Mustang Mach I, followed by three Pontiac Firebirds. He made sure to get a Trans Am the last year they were made (2002). Harv was a gifted musician. He played the tenor saxophone in high school and in a dance band into his early 20s. He especially loved the concertina, which he also played in the dance band, as well as just for personal pleasure. After retirement, Harv’s passion was his garden. No one could grow better tomatoes than he could, and the neighbors were grateful for his talent.

Harv and Ruth went back to Wisconsin to visit family frequently and also did some traveling. A few memorable trips include a 3-week 5,000-mile trip to 11 national parks and 3 national monuments when their kids were teenagers, joining high school friends in Florida where the two guys fell into a lake, and a week-long stay in the Outer Banks to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, where they renewed their wedding vows.

In Harv’s later years, his body started to fail him, but he never quit fighting. He felt it was his duty to be strong and take care of his family, and we loved him for that. We all enjoyed his sense of humor; he was always joking around. Harv is at peace now, no longer in pain, and probably joking with his parents, uncles, aunts and friends.

Harv is survived by his wife, Ruth; a son, Clint (wife, Paula), Idaho Falls, Idaho; a daughter, Mona (husband, Kevin Stewart), Darnestown, Maryland; grandchildren, Connor and Alina Behrend, Olivia and Connor Stewart; sisters, Arlene Champeau and Elaine (husband, Bob Hack).

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Beall Funeral Home, 6512 Crain Highway in Bowie. Friends may also join family at 10 a.m., before the Celebration of Life, which will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the funeral home.