Edward Arthur Behling

Edward Arthur Behling, age 87, of Washington, Utah passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, June 25, 2026 in the company of his wife and daughter after being hospitalized for 2 ½ weeks.

Ed was born on October 17, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois - the oldest of 4 sons of Edward Albert Behling and Daisy Ann Johncock. He was a city boy with an adventurous spirit and great fondness for nature. So, upon graduating from high school in Chicago, he moved to an entirely new universe to study Wildlife Management at Utah State University. He attended USU from 1956-1961, eventually graduating with his degree in Physiology and joining the LDS church after meeting a special woman on a blind date. On June 11,1962, Ed married that woman, Kathleen Thompson of Logan, Utah. They were later sealed in the Logan Utah temple.

Ed entered the Air Force as a second lieutenant in 1962 where he trained to be an aviation/aerospace physiologist. He got his Master’s degree in Physiology from the University of Illinois in 1966. Ed moved his wife and eventually 4 children to and from various locations across the U.S. from California to Florida and Texas to Illinois during his nearly 30-year military career, culminating in his advancement to the rank of Colonel in 1983. Ed enjoyed his time in the Air Force and made many life-long friends, especially in his time with the Pararescue Squadron, which included serving as Pararescue School Commandant from 1975-79, and Pararescue Squadron Commander from 1987-89.

After retiring from the Air Force and settling in Albuquerque, NM for the next 25 years, Ed became a certified personal trainer and worked as a contractor for the Department of Energy as an exercise physiologist.

Ed was very involved in leadership for the church where he served faithfully in numerous callings including bishop, bishopric member, and member of stake presidencies. His great love was working with the youth.

There was no more devoted Scouting leader than Ed Behling. Over the course of decades, he worked with hundreds of Boy Scouts in various parts of the country, especially enjoying High Adventure Scouting – taking groups of boys rappelling, on Klondike derbies, SCUBA diving, and backpacking. He pressed and encouraged countless young men, including his 2 sons and so far 3 grandsons, to get their Eagle. Ed earned the Silver Beaver award and numerous other Scouting leadership awards through the many years.

Throughout retirement, Ed and Kathy enjoyed traveling to visit their kids and grandkids and doing some international travel. They served a Family Search mission together for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2008-2010 in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission, most of the time working in a colonial courthouse in Chestertown, Maryland digitizing old colonial records.

In 2015, Ed and Kathy moved to Washington, Utah to be closer to their children and grandchildren and for health reasons. Ed served as a temple ordinance worker in the St. George Utah temple and was very active in Scouting in Washington, Utah as well.

Ed was an exercise enthusiast to the max. He enjoyed cycling, running, swimming, SCUBA diving, parachuting, and karate. For many years, he could be found working out at the gym, regularly outlifting and outpacing men decades younger than himself. He was riding the equivalent of 10 miles a few times per week on his recumbent bike at home up until the week before he was hospitalized.

Ed’s faith was central to his life and he held it as a cherished guide for his life’s path. He will be fondly and lovingly remembered as a generous, jovial, yet very disciplined and committed man - to his family, his country, and his faith, as well as a respected leader and good friend to many. He was very proud of each of his children and grandchildren and their many accomplishments. Ed did not enjoy the restrictions of age. Now he is free from those constraints.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Kathy Behling of Washington, Utah, children Brett (Jennifer) Behling of San Diego, CA, Mike (Sheryl) Behling of Mesa, AZ, Kristin Valle of Glendora, CA, and Julie Behling of Hurricane, UT, grandchildren Morgan Behling, Mitchell (Kim) Behling, Amanda Behling, Maryn (Cade) Call, Tanner (Dominique) Behling, Marcus Behling, Elias Valle, Shea Valle, Jonah Valle, and Rheo Hovdal and great-grandchildren Scarlett Szendre, Sarah Behling, Clara Szendre, and Ryan Behling, as well as brothers Doug Behling of Pittsburgh, PA and Ken Behling of Lemont, IL. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Ron Behling.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 11 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel at 1835 S Washington Fields Rd., Washington, Utah. The graveside service with full military honors will be held that day at Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George, Utah at 2:45 PM.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Hughes Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Humanitarian Fund.