Mr Karl Howell Behr

Who was Karl Howell Behr?

Karl Howell Behr was a 26 (twenty-six) year-old American first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on May 30, 1885, in Brooklyn, New York, Behr was a prominent lawyer, banker, and accomplished tennis player who survived the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic in 1912.

Early Life and Tennis Career

What was Karl Behr’s background?

Karl Behr was born into a well-to-do family, the son of Herman Behr and Grace Howell. He received his education at the prestigious Lawrenceville School before attending Yale University. After completing his studies, Behr was admitted to the bar in 1910, marking the beginning of his legal career.

How successful was Behr in tennis?

Alongside his professional pursuits, Karl Behr was a renowned lawn tennis player. His achievements in the sport include:

• Playing on the United States Davis Cup team in 1907
• Reaching the finals of the 1907 Wimbledon men’s doubles championship with partner Beals C. Wright

These accomplishments solidified Behr’s reputation as a well-known tennis star of his time.

The Titanic Journey

Why was Karl Behr on the Titanic?

Karl Behr boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, as a first-class passenger, occupying cabin C-148. His ticket number was 111369, and he paid £30 for his fare. However, Behr’s presence on the ship was not merely for travel purposes. He had orchestrated this journey to pursue Helen Monypeny Newsom, a friend of his sister whom he had been courting.

“In fact, part of the reason he was on the Titanic was to continue his courtship of Miss Newsom.”

Mrs. Beckwith, Helen’s mother, had taken her daughter on a “Grand Tour” of Europe in an attempt to discourage the relationship. Undeterred, Behr cleverly invented a business trip to Europe and arranged his return to America aboard the Titanic.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Karl Behr survive the Titanic sinking?

On the night of April 14, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg, Karl Behr joined the Beckwiths, Helen Newsom, and Edwin and Mrs. Kimball on the starboard boat deck. As the situation became dire, they found themselves near Lifeboat 5.

Third Officer Herbert Pitman was in charge of loading the lifeboat, but Bruce Ismay was also present, urging hesitant passengers to board. In a fortunate turn of events, Mrs. Kimball asked if they could all go together, to which Ismay replied, “Of course, madam, every one of you.” This exchange resulted in Karl Behr and his companions being rescued in Lifeboat 5.

Aftermath and Honoring the Rescuers

During the return journey to New York aboard the Carpathia, Behr took an active role in recognizing the bravery of their rescuers. He joined a committee of survivors, including:

• Mr. Frederic K. Seward (Chairman)
• Molly Brown
• Mauritz Björnström-Steffansson
• Frederic Oakley Spedden
• Isaac Frauenthal
• George Harder

This committee’s purpose was to honor Captain Rostron and his crew. They arranged to present the Captain with an inscribed silver cup and medals to each of the 320 crew members of the Carpathia.

Love Prevails: Marriage to Helen Newsom

The near-death experience on the Titanic seemed to solidify Karl and Helen’s relationship. On March 1913, less than a year after the disaster, Karl Behr and Helen Newsom were married in the Church of the Transfiguration.

The Behr Family

Karl and Helen went on to have four children:

1. Karl H. Behr Jr. (still alive, residing in Florida as of the time of writing)
2. Peter Behr (May 24, 1915 - March 10, 1997, San Rafael, California)
3. James Behr (July 16, 1920 - June 14, 1976, Napa, California)
4. Sally Behr (later Mrs. Samuel Pettit, March 8, 1928 - September 1995, Wilmington, Delaware)

Professional Career After the Titanic

What was Karl Behr’s career path following the Titanic disaster?

After his brush with death, Karl Behr ventured into the world of finance and corporate leadership. His professional achievements include:

• Vice-president of Dillon, Read & Co., bankers, located at 28 Nassau St., New York
• Board member of:
  • Fisk Rubber Company
  • Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
  • National Cash Register Company

At the time of his death, Behr held directorship positions at:

• Interchemical Corporation
• Behr-Manning Corporation of Troy, N.Y.
• Witherbee Sherman Corporation

Behr was also a member of several prestigious clubs, including the Downtown, University and Yale clubs, as well as the St. Nicholas Society.

Karl Behr’s Later Years and Legacy

Karl Howell Behr passed away on October 15, 1949, at the age of 64 (sixty-four). He was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Morristown, New Jersey.

What happened to Helen after Karl’s death?

Following Karl’s death, Helen Behr later married Dean Mathey, one of Karl’s best friends and tennis partners. Helen herself passed away in Princeton, New Jersey in 1965.

Karl Howell Behr’s life was one of remarkable experiences and achievements, from his early days as a tennis star to his survival of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. His story serves as a testament to the unpredictability of fate and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.