From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Karl Behr
Karl Behr
Karl Behr lie Beckwith; and another couple, Edwin and Gertrude
Kimball, on the boat deck. Under the watch of Third Of-
ficer Herbert Pitman, the group gathered around lifeboat
5. Gertrude Kimball asked J. Bruce Ismay if all of their
group could enter the boat. Ismay replied, "Of course,
madam, every one of you."[2] As a result, Karl Behr and
his friends were rescued in lifeboat 5, the second boat to
leave the ship. After the rescue, several newspapers re-
ported that Behr had proposed to Miss Newsom in the
lifeboat.[3]
While aboard the rescue ship, RMS Carpathia, Behr
and several other passengers, including Molly Brown, or-
ganized and formed a committee to honour the bravery
Born Karl Howell Behr
of the Carpathia’s captain, Arthur Rostron, and the ship’s
May 30, 1885(1885-05-30)
New York City, U.S. crew. They later presented an inscribed silver cup to
Rostron, and medals to each of the ship’s 320 crew.
Died October 15, 1949(1949-10-15) (aged 64)
Morristown, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation tennis player, banker
Later life
Despite her mother’s objections, Behr married Helen
Spouse Helen Newsom (1913–1949) (his death)
Newsom on March 1, 1913 at the Church of the Transfig-
uration in New York City. The couple had four children
Karl Howell Behr (May 30, 1885 – October 15, 1949) was
together: Karl H. Behr Jr. (1914–2002), Peter Howell Behr
an American tennis player and banker. He was also a sur-
(1915–1997), James Howell Behr (1920–1976), and Sally
vivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
Howell Behr (later Mrs. Samuel Leonard Pettit)
(1928–1995). After her husband’s death, Helen remarried
Personal life one of his best friends and former tennis partners, Dean
Mathey.
Karl Howell Behr was born the son of Herman and Grace
Behr continued his tennis career after the sinking,
(née Howell) Behr of New York City. He was the brother
and went on to win the Davis Cup with fellow survivor
of Max H. Behr, the well-known golfer. Behr was educat-
R. Norris Williams. In 1915, Behr defeated Maurice
ed at Lawrenceville School and attended Yale University
McLoughlin, considered the world’s best tennis player, in
and was admitted to the bar association in 1910.
straight sets, 8–6, 7–5, 7–5.[4]
Behr was also a well known lawn tennis star, playing
Behr also gave up his career in law, instead turning
on the United States Davis Cup team in 1907. Behr, with
to banking. He was vice-president of Dillon, Read & Co.
Beals C. Wright, was also runner up in the men’s doubles
and sat on the board of the Fisk Rubber Company, the
at the 1907 Wimbledon Championships, losing to Norman
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and the National
Brookes and Tony Wilding in three sets, 4:6, 4:6 and 2:6.[1]
Cash Register Company. At the time of his death, he was
a director of the Interchemical Corporation, the Behr-
RMS Titanic Manning Corporation of Troy, New York, and the Wither-
In 1912, Behr booked first class passage on board the bee Sherman Corporation. His clubs included the Down-
RMS Titanic. His main reason for traveling was due to town, University and Yale, and the St. Nicholas Society.
his pursuit of fellow first class passenger Helen Newsom,
who was a friend of Behr’s sister. Newsom’s mother, in Death
an attempt to discourage the relationship, tried to sepa-
Karl Behr died of natural causes at his home on October
rate the pair by taking her daughter on a Grand Tour of
15, 1949. He was buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in
Europe, but Behr followed them under the guise of a busi-
Morristown, New Jersey. He was posthumously honored
ness trip. Behr occupied cabin C-148 during the voyage.
by the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1969.
Sometime after the ship hit the iceberg, Behr met up
with Helen, her mother and stepfather, Richard and Sal-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Karl Behr
References External links
[1] Davis Cup – Players • International Tennis Hall of Fame
[2] Mr Karl Howell Behr Persondata
[3] Miss Helen Monypeny Newsom
Name Behr, Karl
[4] "M’LOUGHLIN LOSES TO KARL H. BEHR; New York
Tennis Player Startles Californian with Defeat in Alternative names
Three Straight Sets. MATCH BITTERLY FOUGHT All Short description
Three Sets Go to Deuce ;- Behr Breaks Through Date of birth May 30, 1885
"Mac’s" Serve at Critical Times.". New York Times.
Place of birth New York City, U.S.
August 14, 1915. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/
Date of death
abstract.html?res=9B04EEDC1138E633A25757C1A96E9C946496D6CF. October 15, 1949
Retrieved August 14, 2008. Place of death Morristown, New Jersey, U.S.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Karl_Behr&oldid=451847229"
Categories:
• 1885 births
• 1949 deaths
• American bankers
• American lawyers
• American male tennis players
• International Tennis Hall of Fame inductees
• Lawrenceville School alumni
• NCR people
• People from New York City
• Tennis people from New York
• RMS Titanic's crew and passengers
• Wimbledon champions
• Yale Bulldogs tennis players
• Yale University alumni
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