Behrens, Veterans Memorial designer, dies – “I just want to say, I love every one in this room.”

Illness claimed environmental designer Robert K. Behrens, 68, on Saturday, but his work in Sonoma, epitomized by the city’s Veterans Memorial, will live on for generations. He is survived by his wife, Faye Behrens, whom he married last October, and his daughter, Gaeta.
He was a tireless advocate for environmental principles and appeared before the city council many times over the years, always as an advocate for open space, historic preservation, Smart Growth Principles and the need for planning and far thinking in service of preserving the nature of the city. His last public act, on Feb. 6, was to accept a proclamation by Mayor Joanne Sanders on behalf of the city, for all he has done to create and preserve the beauty all now enjoy in Sonoma.
Gravely ill, and wheelchair-bound, he accepted the honor and addressed the room, saying, “I want to thank Mayor Joanne Sanders and the current city council for extending this proclamation to me. It’s a very, very deep honor, which my family and I will treasure. I, along with others in this room have created for the city of Sonoma a lasting memorial to recognize veterans’ service for our city, state and country. I hope people for generations will come to the memorial for quiet reflection and comfort. And I just want to let you know, I want to thank you for long periods of support, overcoming conflict, and I just want to say, I love every one in this room.”
As the end of his life drew near, friends were working on a website on his behalf. Behrens wrote, shortly before he died, “I extend my personal gratitude to Ed Bell, Larry Barnett and Marga Friberg for taking their time and energy to construct this website on my behalf. I send my profound and undying love to my wife, Faye and daughter, Gaeta, who gave me strength and solace and made my every day precious and worth living. I wish everyone peace and beauty in their lives.”