David Foster Behn

David Foster Behn, 58, of Redondo Beach, CA, passed away December 5, 2019. Dave was born January 3, 1961 to the late Allen and Thelma (Irvin) Behn in Lima, OH. A 1979 graduate from Shawnee High School, Dave attended The Ohio State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing in 1983. Dave began playing basketball at a young age. In high school, he enjoyed the cheers from the crowd while on the court. Following several recent knee surgeries, he was working out on his own, along with brutal physical therapy. After a recent checkup with his surgeon, he said he came straight home and shot hoops for the first time in months. During high school, Dave worked at Lima Motorcycle Sales, which helped fuel his love of motorcycles and racing motocross. A couple of years ago, he decided to get his street license again and was checking out bikes but just could not decide on which one to purchase. After growing up in Ohio, along with several years in Tennessee, Dave moved out to Southern California. For the first seven years, he worked in marketing and sales for several major industrial manufacturers of custom rubber and thermoplastic products. In 1993, a friend introduced him to film production and his career in the motion picture industry took off. He had the skills and drive to learn the craft while working with crews on videos, commercials, TV series, and movies. His roles included being a production assistant, swing, day player, key grip, dolly grip, best boy and electrician. Even though at times his work involved long hours, adverse weather conditions and difficult directors of photography, he enjoyed filmmaking and the opportunity it provided to meet all kinds of people. Dave listened to a wide variety of music, was well read and kept up on the news. He was an avid sports fan who attended and watched all types of sporting events. He appreciated art of all kinds, and of late, seemed particularly drawn to the stunning murals in Hermosa Beach. Dave tended to a beautiful cactus garden that thrived under his care just outside his apartment door. He loved his life in the South Bay and the many places there were to explore. While riding his bike along the strand he was known to happen upon free concerts, watch surfers riding the waves and take photos of breathtaking sunsets. When family came to visit he was a top-notch tour guide. Along with sharing spectacular views and sights from downtown LA to San Diego, he provided tickets to see baseball games at Angel Stadium, hockey at Staples Center, motocross at Glen Helen and comedians at the Comedy and Magic Club. He even managed to get his family onto a movie set during filming and was able to give them a tour on the set of a television series. In the last few years, Dave had made a huge comeback from some serious health issues and was upbeat, positive and in his own words, “happy”. His family and friends will miss his storytelling, humor, passion and living vicariously through him. He is survived by his brother, Edward Behn of Salvisa, KY; sister, Mary Behn-Laman and brother-in-law, Richard Laman of Indianapolis, IN; nephews, Allen Laman, Conner Laman and Garrett Laman.