Saturday, Oct 23, 2010 Posted on Sat, Oct. 23,
2010
Tribute | Thomas A. Behrendsen helped nurture other organ transplant recipients
By MARGARET SCHMITZ RIZZO
Special to The Star
Who: Thomas A. Behrendsen, 70, of Liberty.
When and how he died: Oct. 13, of cancer, at North Kansas City Hospital.
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Known for: His passion was Camp Chimer, which serves children undergoing peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis or who have had a renal transplant. Early years: Behrendsen joined the U.S. Navy fresh out of high school and later became a volunteer firefighter with the Liberty Fire Department. This prompted a career in fire and arson investigations, first in Liberty and then as a Missouri state fire marshal for about 15 years. |
Eventually, he became director of fire
investigations for Clarence M. Kelley and Associates Inc.
A life changing event: Whether from a childhood illness or high blood pressure,
his kidneys started failing about 24 years ago. After just two days,
Behrendsen’s body rejected his first kidney transplant, but the second one took.
He remained grateful the rest of his life.
“I think the kidney thing changed him,” said
his younger sister, Susan Mick, who became his caretaker while he battled cancer
this summer. “Illness does that to a person. It makes you get your priorities
straight.” Mick enjoyed reconnecting with her brother after years of both being
busy with their own lives. Behrendsen frequently talked about Camp Chimer,
so much that his sister now thinks it would be a great place to volunteer. He
made it his life goal to help and nurture organ transplant recipients and donors
through his work with the National Kidney Foundation, and he also worked with
the Dream Factory and the Hot Dog Ministry at the First Christian Church — an
outreach project welcoming area high school students to the church.
Debbie Ulm, regional director of programs at the National Kidney Foundation,
said Behrendsen’s involvement with the Dream Factory is what connected him with
Camp Chimer. The Dream Factory played an integral part in starting Camp Chimer,
founded by Brad Warady, Children’s Mercy Hospital’s section chief of
nephrology.As a Dream Factory board member, Behrendsen volunteered at the first
camp — and
every year since. Everyone called him the “key master” because he had the master
keys to the buildings and rooms.
“He had a great heart and was great with the kids and they all had a bond with
him,” Ulm said.
A learned trait: Mick believes Behrendsen’s cleanliness training started in the
Navy. Mr. Clean, as she called him, always kept everything immaculate and
orderly.
“If you were going to get into his car, your shoes had to pass inspection ...
and then there was still going to be newspaper on the floor,” she said,
laughing.
Behrendsen’s 1977 yellow Ford Bronco was his pride and joy. He belonged to many
car and truck groups and after retirement worked at the Auto Auction. Close
friend Jerry Barham met Behrendsen at a car cruise in North Kansas City.“Tom
loved to bring his 1977 Ford Bronco and show the vehicle and meet old
friends and create new ones. He was a great friend to many people,” said Barham,
who loved the man’s transparency and honesty. “He spoke from his heart. He was a
Christian and he knew God and reached out to us.”
Survivors include: two sisters and nine nieces and nephews.A favorite memory:
Barham and Behrendsen frequented the Hometown Buffet on Barry Road, often
accompanied by Barham’s grandson, Shad, who first met Behrendsen at
age 6.
“Tom had a wonderful laugh, sense of humor, was kind and gentle,” Barham said.
“One of the best things I can remember is my grandson riding with me on the way
home after having dinner and commenting, ‘That Tom is really a happy guy. He is
always laughing.’ That’s one of the best memories I have. He made all the rest
of us happy.”