Norman Scott Behn

Norman Scott Behn, 84, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026. He was born on December 10, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Clarence Henry and Marion Gertrude (Scott) Behn. Norm graduated from Carl Sandburg High and then went on to Ripon College in Wisconsin. He then proudly became a Jayhawk earning his doctorate in Organic Chemistry from Kansas University in 1967. Norm met the love of his life, Cherie Ann Gass, who was also in the KU Organic Chemistry Graduate Program, working in the lab across the hall from Norm. They married in 1965 and began building their life together.

Norm began his career working for DuPont in Wilmington, DE as a research chemist. They moved to Fort Wayne, IN in 1971 when he changed to technical sales for DuPont. He began working for his largest customer, National Plastics, in 1974 as their Vice President of Engineering. In 1986, he started his own manufacturing rep business, Alltech. Norm was very involved in the Society of Plastics Engineers, becoming president of the 36,000 member group in 1998, which involved significant travel throughout the US and Europe.

Norm moved to Arizona in 2000 and loved living there for the rest of his life, due in part to the long golfing season. Norm’s passion for golf kept him busy for decades and led to many of his closest friendships. He was a member at the Pine Valley Country Club in Fort Wayne and served as the Club President before joining Rio Verde and Silverado in AZ as he and Cherie moved around the greater Scottsdale area. Norm and Cherie moved to Sunland Village in Mesa, Arizona four years ago. He was involved with many card groups, bowling, and billiards leagues where he made many dear friends.

Norm was so proud of his loving family. He is survived by his wife Cherie; his daughters Christine Jensen and Jennifer (Chris) Johnston; and his four grandchildren, Nicolai Jensen, Marcus Jensen, Benjamin Johnston, and Grace Johnston. He is also survived by his two sisters, Carol Maes and Patti Westfall. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of life will be held for Norm on August 29, 2026 from 2-4 pm in the Sunland Village Auditorium in Mesa, Arizona.

Memorial contributions may be made in Norm’s memory to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.