With immeasurable sadness the family mourns the passing of Brent on May 17, 2021, from heart disease that resulted from the effects of radiation treatment he received for Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 28. Husband, father, grandfather, brother, healer. He was devoted to his family and his cancer patients. He was born March 17, 1949, to B. Richard and Phyllis Behrens who predeceased him. He grew up in Waukesha, WI and received his MD and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he graduated first in his medical school class. He completed a fellowship in Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. Following that he was employed at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, Chalmers P. Wylie VA Center, and Columbus Oncology and Hematology Associates from 1985-1998 and 1998—2016 respectively. Brent is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Kathryn, his daughter Emily (Tony) Hansen, son Peter Behrens, and 5 grandchildren: John, Anthony, James, Molly and Grace. He is also survived by brother Scott (Esther) and sister Ann Behrens and his mother-in-law, and 3 sisters-in-law and their families. He was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH. His connection to this congregation sustained him through his health challenges. Brent’s legacy is his character: accomplished, but humble, kind, supportive, inquisitive and spiritual. A colleague from the Ohio State years, Dr. Bertha Bouroncle, described him as a true gentleman. Condolences to the family may be given at the Egan-Ryan Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road on Thursday, May 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. Safety measures will be taken with ample spacing and adequate precautions using masks and social distancing. A private religious service and burial will take place in Waukesha, WI at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 322 Stewart Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206 or to Kobacker House, 3430 OhioHealth Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43202.
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