Ken Behring

Ken Behring

Kenneth Eugene Behring (June 13, 1928 – June 25, 2019) was an American real estate developer, philanthropist, and sports franchise owner known for his role in the expansion of suburban housing, ownership of a major National Football League franchise, and high-profile donations to natural history museum projects. He remained a controversial figure because of allegations related to wildlife hunting expeditions and legal disputes tied to business and personal conduct.

Early life and education

Behring was born in Freeport, Illinois, and raised in a Midwestern setting that shifted toward the Sun Belt during his youth, reflecting broader internal migration patterns exemplified by figures such as William Levitt, Robert Moses, and James W. Rouse. He served in the aftermath-era milieu associated with veterans and entrepreneurs similar to Sam Walton and Ross Perot, though Behring did not pursue a formal Ivy League path like John D. Rockefeller IV or attend institutions such as Harvard University or Yale University. His formative experiences paralleled those of other postwar developers who adapted building techniques and marketing strategies akin to firms like Levitt & Sons and national trends driven by policies such as the GI Bill and suburbanization efforts linked to the construction of Interstate 5 and Interstate 10 corridors.

Real estate career

Behring built a real estate empire through residential development and land acquisition, operating in markets comparable to those of Donald Bren, K. Hovnanian, and Trammell Crow. His ventures included large-scale subdivision projects, speculative tract housing, and commercial property investments that intersected with municipal planning departments and regional agencies such as the California Coastal Commission and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. His business dealings brought him into contact with lenders and investors similar to those associated with Wachovia, Bank of America, and private equity pools resembling firms like KKR and The Carlyle Group. In the process he navigated land-use debates involving entities such as the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and regulatory frameworks shaped by legislation like the California Environmental Quality Act.

Sports ownership and civic involvement

Behring emerged into national prominence when he acquired a controlling interest in a National Football League franchise, joining the ranks of owners like Art Modell, Bob McNair, and Jerry Jones. His tenure overlapped with league governance bodies including the National Football League Players Association, the NFL Owners, and commissioners such as Paul Tagliabue and Roger Goodell. Civic initiatives associated with his ownership involved stadium negotiations with municipal governments and authorities such as the City of Oakland, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, and metropolitan business coalitions like the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. He engaged with philanthropic and civic leaders akin to Ronald Reagan, Tom Bradley, and Antonio Villaraigosa in regional development and community outreach activities.

Philanthropy and museum controversies

Behring funded major philanthropic projects, most notably substantial donations to natural history museum initiatives that drew attention alongside benefactors such as Stephen A. Schwarzman, David M. Rubenstein, and Paul Allen. His contributions were tied to exhibition design and collection acquisition programs similar to those at the American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Natural History Museum, London. However, his philanthropic legacy became contentious due to controversies over hunting trophies and provenance of specimens, raising public disputes comparable to episodes involving collectors like William Randolph Hearst and institutions facing scrutiny such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum. Debates engaged academics and curators from organizations including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the International Council of Museums.

Personal life and legal issues

Behring's personal life included high-profile marriages and relationships that paralleled public figures who faced intense media scrutiny, reminiscent of the private-public tensions experienced by names such as Merv Griffin, Howard Hughes, and Kenny Rogers. He faced legal challenges and civil suits alleging misconduct that prompted comparison to litigation involving celebrities like O. J. Simpson and business magnates embroiled in disputes such as Leona Helmsley. Lawsuits and accusations intersected with legal institutions including state superior courts and federal agencies similar to the United States Department of Justice and state prosecutors. Toward the end of his life, his estate matters and legacy discussions involved nonprofit boards, trustees, and cultural institutions comparable to the governance issues debated at the J. Paul Getty Trust and university endowments like those of Stanford University.

Category:1928 births Category:2019 deaths Category:American businesspeople Category:American philanthropists