Bill Behrbaum

Bill Behrbaum, 87, of Carlsbad, California, died on Sunday, December 8, 2019, in his sleep at his niece's home in Viking, MN.

William Halling Behrbaum was born on February 12, 1932, the son of William F. and Clare (Halling) Behrbaum. He grew up in New Salem, ND, where father managed the local mercantile shop. Summers were spent near Bisbee, ND, where Bill worked as a farmhand for his mother's brother. Following his graduation from New Salem High School in 1950, Bill attended University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where he was in the ΣAE fraternity and the ROTC, graduating in 1954 with a degree in accounting. He remained a die hard Sioux fan until the end of his days.

As he left UND, Bill entered the US Air Force in November of 1954, and was sent down to Sioux City, Iowa. After his honorable discharge in November of 1956, Bill moved as quickly as he could to somewhere warm; that “somewhere” being California, where his Aunt lived. In the late 1950s, Bill got a job in the accounting department of Rockwell International, a major manufacturer of air and spacecraft. He stayed-on there through several mergers before retiring in 1990.

Bill truly loved living in California. He liked the weather and really enjoyed being close to the racing grounds. He always liked horses and horse racing, and was even part-owner of a mobile tack and supply shop for a few years. He made regular visits to northwest Minnesota for the last six decades and he always made it a point to visit his niece and nephew, as well as attend milestone birthday celebrations for his cousins- in addition to the usual side trip to the horse track in Winnipeg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Gloria Geiszler.

Bill is survived by his niece, Mary Beth Riesen; nephew, Brad Geiszler; two great-nephews; and a number of cousins.

An Interment will be held in Halling Cemetery, Towner County, ND, in the Spring of 2020.