Obituary

Shrewsbury – Rev. Douglas R. Behm, 81, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 6, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Doug was born December 30, 1942, in Dayton, OH, the son of Robert and Ruth (Oberer) Behm.

Doug earned his BA from Capital University in Columbus, OH and his Master of Divinity from Trinity Seminary, also in Columbus, OH. He worked for many years as a Lutheran pastor in several churches, including Emmanuel Lutheran in Shepherd, MT; Zion Lutheran in W Jefferson, OH; St. Paul Calvary Lutheran in Niagara Falls, NY; Community of Christ in Billerica, MA; and Zion Lutheran in Worcester, MA. After retiring, he interned at St. Stevens, Marlborough, MA and Christ the King in Nashua, NH.

Doug was a current member of Trinity Lutheran in Worcester, MA. He enjoyed reading, writing poetry, music, woodworking, football, and traveling around the country with Nina to visit family and national parks. He had a large collection of jokes he like to share, and he loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nina, Worcester, MA; children Cheryl (Ray) Reinhart, Maple Grove, MN and Becky Boutwell, Gardner, MA; grandchildren Jacob Boutwell and Sarah Boutwell, Gardner, MA; an uncle; and three cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, an uncle, two aunts, and three cousins.

A service to celebrate Doug's life and bid him farewell will be held on Wednesday, September 25th at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster St., Worcester, MA 01609, followed by a reception in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Doug's memory may be made to either Trinity Lutheran Church at the above address or Ron Burton Training Village, PO Box 2, Hubbardston, MA 01452. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence message, please click on the link.