Howard Jeffrey Benedict

Howard Jeffrey Benedict 03/07/1945 ~ 02/07/2012 CARDIFF -- Howard was born in Pasadena, Calif., although they moved every couple of years as Howard, Sr. was an officer in the US Air Force. His younger brother, Mike, was born in Formosa and older brother, Chuck, was born in New York. When Howard was ten, and Howard, Sr. died, and his mother, Betty raised the three boys in Clairemont, Calif., which overlooks Mission Bay. Her career and means of supporting the family was mostly as a nurse's aide. Sisters Charlene (Jones) Rhinehart and Elinor (Jones) Taylor helped with their care as well. Clairemont was such a magical area to grow up in, as it was so near to the Pacific Ocean. Howard's love for the sea began when he asked his mother to take him down to visit the site of a recent shark attack near La Jolla. From then on, everything he was interested in revolved around being in the ocean. Howard became fascinated with free-diving and spearing big fish in his teens and landed a job with Chuck Nicklin at The Diving Locker in Pacific Beach. In typical Howard fashion, he went all out with this sport and carved the most beautiful wood spear guns ever seen and crafted the metal pieces for them himself. He was encouraged to use his artistic talents by a fellow spear fisherman named Wayne, who was a dentist, to enter college, and so Howard did. He specialized in the field of cosmetic dentistry and had his practice at an office on Hwy 101 in Leucadia, Calif., for over 25 years. He was admired for his skills in creating beautiful, healthy smiles, but envied even more for his ability to combine ocean sports and travel, along with managing a successful career. He had been a graduate of Madison High, San Diego State, and USC. Howard attributed his success at becoming a dentist to West Leffingwell, as he was the dentist to give him his start in the little round brick building in Cardiff in the 1970s, by allowing him to use his office during the evening hours. He followed his casual schedule for his whole career. This was the best thing he could have set-up, as it facilitated his healthy life style and interests in long board and tow-in surfing, free diving, windsurfing, bike riding and sailing. During the years he lived on his sailboat, the G.V. Black, and he would always say, in a sweeping motion with his arms across Oceanside Harbor, "Life is good when you have this for your backyard!" Everyday was wonderful to him; every person he met was the best person you could ever possibly meet, every wave epic. He was incredibly positive about all things. You were instantly swept up into his enthusiasm for most things ocean related. Howard and his wife, Jennifer, traveled in their early years together in a humble camper usually to Baja with the Barstows, Mosels, and Grahams, then later to many 'always surf related' exotic destinations.


Howard charged through life with extreme energy and expertise, and had a story to tell about them all, embellishing only occasionally and always ready for the next adventure. He lived life to its fullest; he'd laugh as his motto was "Everything is excess, nothing in moderation" all in a healthy "Summers Day" kind of way. The real thrill of his life was born on October 31, 1988. Having Bridgett was the best thing that ever happened to him, of course. They surfed together and he indulged her in "all things outdoors." He was an enthusiastic "Horse Show Dad." Even as illness (BV FTD) left him hard pressed to communicate, his last shining light was her immanent graduation from college, which he was extremely proud of. Immense gratitude to Tom and Marie Hanly, and Jeff Dowell for their many Las Pulgas bike rides and Batiquitos Lagoon walks during his last four years. Most recently, their care with Howard's well-being were Dr. Glenn Soope and Dr. Gregory Mattson. In the end, gratitude goes to Mike Benedict's kindness in caring for him in his last days on earth. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com