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Westward Ho!  Philip Behr is moving on.  After more than 20 years of contributions to the Huntington Historical Society as board member, volunteer, family historian, and advisor, he has decided that it is time to trust us to fend for ourselves, to pack it in and move near his family in Rock Springs Wyoming.  His genial service to the Society will be greatly missed.  The trustees, staff and members of the Huntington Historical Society wish him well in this next phase of his life.

We will miss Philip’s smile and good humor.  His wonderful stories of life in St. Croix and living and managing a Seiko watch factory in Guam often kept us in stitches. 

 Because of his love and appreciation for history and cultures of all kinds he can pick up a book on almost any subject and devour it.  An avid traveler Philip has pursued his genealogical research to his family roots in Eastern Europe locating the old homestead, the local church and long lost cemeteries.  Karen Martin says "Over the past few years Philip has discovered the world of the internet.  His new addiction became 'Google.'  He will sit for hours researching with the world at his finger tips."

 Philip was born and raised in Maspeth, Queens.   While in St. Croix he married Agneta and they have two children Susan and Mette.  Susan now lives in Las Vegas and Mette lives in Farson, Wyoming. 

In 1978 Philip moved to Greenlawn.  He became a member of Huntington Historical Society in 1986.  He has always chipped in around the Society, helping in the office with mailings and other duties, manning the gate at our events, and volunteering in the archives.  Terry Frohlich says:  "I have enjoyed many a Tuesday and Friday volunteering with Philip.  Friday was the best because it was usually quiet and I got to have lunch with him and hear all of his stories.  He was a great help with the mailings until he hurt himself while helping with one of the largest mailings the Society has ever had.  I will surely miss him but as I have heard him say...'I'll be starting a new chapter in my life.'  Good luck Philip, and stay warm.'  "

He was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 1993 and served on the Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2001.  Tom Ernst remembers " how Philip could fold letters, stuff them into their envelopes and talk continuously, never losing the thread of his story or missing an envelope" and Art and Irene Sniffin wonder "How will we ever manage without the assistance of our Eastern European genealogist to help our researchers, and "our 'super Coffee manager?' " 

He is an active member of the Genealogy Workshop, has assisted with registration at the annual Roots seminars and traveled with Society members to Salt Lake City.  He also represents the Society at the quarterly meetings of the Association of Suffolk County Historical Societies.  Cathi Horowitz says “Philip was instrumental in assisting my mother to trace her family’s journey through Ellis Island.  The satisfaction my mother received from this cannot be over stated.  He is always incredibly generous in providing reading materials and books which are used in researching our education programs.  His enthusiasm for the subject is always a joy.”

Gary Strong told us "I remember the conversations with my favorite "speed bump" as I affectionately called Phillip after his encounter in the parking lot at Gerry's Northside restaurant in East Northport. Luckily, we were both able to laugh about it, although I'm sure he wasn't laughing when he was under the car as it was backing up!  He's lived a "charmed life" thanks in no small measure, I'm sure, to the gracious manner in which he treated all who crossed his path."

Pat Ernst remembers "taking a Greenlawn Library trip, a few years ago, with Philip and Artie (who we did not know at the time) and my friend Nancy and I, sat with them at lunch.  One of them, Philip or Artie, carried his own pepper grinder, and they bought a bottle of wine for the table.  We enjoyed their company."

We all wish Philip good luck in his new adventures in the “Cowboy State” where as he says he will “begin another chapter”.  “Snoopy Behr” we will all miss you.