The 25 – Gary H. Behm

St. Louis Antique Lighting Company founder Gary Behm describes himself as a “farm kid from Minnesota with artistic leanings.” The oldest of 14, he left home at 14 to get an education and became a Lutheran minister/director of counseling for 23 years.

In 1968, Behm and his wife, Gloria, moved into the Central West End of St. Louis. They revived their 1890s Richardsonian Romanesque home, which included a basement shop where he restored and replicated period lighting.

In succession, he opened a retail store in 1980; bought an old 1927 factory in 1985; and oversaw lighting for their first state capitol in 1987, the U.S. Capitol in 1988, and 14 more since then.

The period lighting expert currently serves on the development subcommittee of the AIA Historic Resources Committee, is a member of the Illuminating Engineers Society of North America, and is secretary of the board at the Charles M. Russell Museum. He enjoys sharing his knowledge via a national speaking engagement called “Lighting Historic Places.”

At 79, Behm gratefully serves as President Emeritus of the company he founded in his basement. Since this inauspicious start in 1973, St. Louis Antique Lighting has received numerous local, state, national, and international awards.

“I am now one of the country’s few remaining historic lighting experts,” Behm admits, “not because I know more but because all the guys who did know more are gone. I enjoy passing on my knowledge to those with a passion for historic lighting or professionals needing to specify and budget projects.

“Not a day goes by,” he continues, “that I am not teaching or learning.”