Back Story: Robert Behrle’s Mission
People fish tournaments for all sorts of reasons: fun, profit, fellowship, the need to compete. Add charity to Robert Behrle’s list.
Before you get the wrong idea, though, understand that this burly Alabama angler is no Mother Teresa. For one thing, Behrle looks to be what he is: a rough-around-the-edges excavating contractor who’s fond of tournament fishing. The Hoover, Ala., resident is the kind of guy who makes competitors worry, but he’s also the kind of man you’d like to call a friend, and the kind of friend that you know you could always count on.
Blake Harlow can vouch for that. Harlow has known Behrle for a number of years, but never realized that his friend has a heart of gold until Harlow’s baby daughter Blakelee developed a rare form of cancer. Behrle did more than express his concern; he decided to donate after-expenses tournament winnings to a fund established for the baby’s medical bills. The Ranger pro will fish the American Fishing Series Southeast Division next year, with the help of sponsors Airport Marine of Alabaster, Ala., Cablz Eyewear of Birmingham and Tim Wilson Paint & Body in Columbiana, Ala.
Behrle, 50, said the idea of dedicating his tournament profits to pay down Blakelee Harlow’s medical expenses came to him when he was fishing the FLW Series Eastern Division tournament on Lake Chickamauga in September.
“I don’t know why, but I got to thinking about Blake’s baby and how hard it must be on a family to worry about something like that, and the costs over and above what your insurance covers,” says Behrle. “I’ve had five kids myself to look after, and I’ve always loved kids. So I wanted to help that baby in any way I could, and that perhaps my helping would encourage others to do the same.”
Harlow, who works at a local sporting goods store that Behrle frequents, says his friend’s commitment goes beyond that. “Bob is one of those guys you don’t particularly want to fish against around here; he’s pretty highly regarded. He travels a lot with [FLW Tour Pro] Scott Canterbury and they’ve learned a lot from each other . I think it was kind of natural that Bob found a way to associate the thing he loves to do best, which is fishing in tournaments, with attaching it to a cause in his life. He wants to start an ongoing foundation that helps children in need and their parents. I hope he can. I hope he gets help to do that.”
Harlow’s daughter Blakelee, 9 months old, is Behrle’s first beneficiary. Blakelee has neuroblastoma, which has developed on her adrenal gland and has diminished her body’s immune system. The baby’s prognosis is good, however, and doctors expect that the treatments she is receiving now will cause the cancer to disappear over time. The medical bills might outlive the disease, but that’s where Behrle comes in – and other fishermen who want to help. Some money for Blakelee’s medical fund was raised at a charity tournament organized by local bass clubs on Logan Martin Lake.
Behrle’s commitment goes beyond one or two events, however. He’s going to dedicate his entire tournament future to the cause, though he’s not going to make a big deal about his mission. He’s just going to do what he can. As he notes, his decision to make a positive difference in the life of a friend’s child and family didn’t suddenly leap into his mind. It came to him as softly as an autumn breeze drifting across a highland lake.
Perhaps the echoes of words spoken by a grandmother or preacher long ago, the image of a candle glowing against the darkness, the memories of similar deeds done by men and women he cherished, triggered something inside Behrle. Whatever the reason, he has another reason to fish tournaments.
Now is his time to do some good.