William C. Behen Collection

Description:

This small collection contains personal memorabilia, writings, correspondence, and a scrapbook from Dr. William C. Behen (1890-1971). Behen was born in Dover, Delaware, and attended the University of Delaware and medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U. S. Army Medical Corps in 1917 and served as a medic on the front lines in the 106th infantry, 27th division. After the war he stayed on with the Red Cross. He received honors from Serbia for work done there in 1919-1920, and from Poland in 1920 for work done on the front during the Bolshevik Drive. He received his medical license and set up practice in Lansing in 1924. His speciality was ear, nose, and throat. At some point he purchased the home at 535 South Capitol Avenue and located his practice there as well. During his years in practice he traveled frequently for training and education, as well as to perform service work through a number of international charity organizations. The collection includes documentation of his efforts in Spain, Israel, India, Pakistan, and more, as well as photographs from personal travels. He also ran for Ingham County Coroner (1934) and state senate (date unknown). Although his obituary mentions a wife, Rose Lucille (1903-1972), who was living in Florida at the time of his death, this collection contains no material pertaining to her or their relationship. She was born Rose Lucille Megerle, and they married in 1940. They had no children. This collection appears to have been an estate sale purchase by David Caterino, who then left the collection to the Capital Area District Libraries.

Date Created:

[1917 TO 1979]

Data Provider:

Capital Area District Library (Lansing, MI). Forest Parke Library and Archives

Collection:

William C. Behen Collection

Subject Topic:

Lansing (Mich.), Doctors, Eye examinations, Surgery, International organizations, World War I, Charity, Fraternal organizations, and Elections

Language:

English

Rights:

Copyright Not Evaluated

URL:

http://cadl.pastperfectonline.com/archive/91A2776A-8398-4F58-AAB5-672786061940