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Chuck Benn Obituary

Chuck Benn

Ames

With dignity and confidence Chuck went to a very justly-earned place with our Heavenly Father on December 23, 2012 at the age of 94.

Charles "Chuck" Laverne Benn was born November 2, 1918 to Ruben and Addie Benn in Gilbert, Iowa, at the onset of the Great Depression. Hard work and equally hard times was the backdrop that would forge the work ethic, frugal lifestyle, and high moral values on which the rest of his life was built. He graduated from Gilbert High School in 1936.

Enlisting in the Army in January 1942, Chuck served under General Patton in Egypt. He worked as a clerk in the Fifteenth Air Service Group and was promoted to Staff Sergeant in February of 1943. Chuck earned multiple ribbons and awards, including a Good Conduct Medal and Bronze Stars. He was honorably discharged on September 9, 1945.

Upon returning home, Chuck worked as a photographer for 36 years at Iowa State University (ISU) Agricultural Extension Service. Loving the work so much, he returned to work with the ISU Veterinary Biomedical Communications Department for an additional 21 years after his initial "retirement". Distinctions awarded during his tenure included memberships to Epsilon Sigma Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta, and the Superior Service Award.

Early in his career he met his wife, Ruth Zimmerman, on a blind date arranged by his brother and sister-in-law. They were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua on July 26, 1954. Making their home at 230 Hickory Drive in Ames, they had their only child, James Douglas, in September 1956. They were married for 49 years until Ruth's death in 2003.

Chuck had many joys in his life, including: His wife, son, grandsons, his daughter in-law, his church and faith, flying airplanes, riding motorcycles, (the preceding three things went well together) going on fishing trips, knowing pretty much everybody on the ISU campus, the Dewhurst family, his great neighbors on Hickory Drive, the guys that congregated at the West Ames Hy-Vee for coffee and politics, (those guys should be running Washington DC) the gang that went to country music jams and dancing on Saturday nights, big band music, Studebaker cars, volunteering at the United Way, and a long list of very special friends that are too numerous to mention here.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Addie; and his one brother, Raymond. He is succeeded by his son James (Barbara) of Johnston; and two grandsons, Nathan, of Rochester, MN and Steven, of Des Moines.

A memorial service for Chuck's life will be held at Collegiate Methodist Church in Ames at 1 p.m., on Saturday January 5th, with fellowship immediately following the service. For anybody that wishes to attend, there will be celebration of his life gathering at the Gateway Hotel from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in his name to Collegiate Methodist Church or United Way of Central Iowa. Adams Funeral Home in Ames is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.adamsoderstrum.com

Published by the Des Moines Register on Dec. 27, 2012.
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Hearing of Chuck's passing brings me great sadness. I thought he would live to be 100 like his father and I would see him at least one more time. His emails had slowed down lately. Chuck came to work with us at Biomedical Communications (BMC) at the Veterinary College and assisted in photo area after retiring. Almost every year since he has let me know how thankful he was that we hired him. (We have to thank Charlie Duetsch for that nudge.) It gave him ‘a reason to get up in the morning'. But it was really BMC and the people at the Vet. College who were lucky. Chuck became a role model for me. He was always a early for work and left a few minutes late. Chuck had a apple everyday and swore by his Waterpik.

Chuck did not mind working for a woman more than 30 years younger. He called me his ‘itty bitty buddy boss'. Only a few times did he give me advice in my personal life and those times he was right. Chuck was a great role model for aging. He was so active. At 80 years of age he decided, on his own to quit flying and a few years later to quit riding his motorcycle.

Chuck and I both were photographers and had pilots license. When the University needed aerial photos we teamed up. Sometimes he flew and I took photos, sometimes we reversed the role. In 1990 I left ISU for Kodak but we stayed in touch and also had lunch or coffee whenever I came to Ames.

I still make the molasses cookie recipe from Ruth. Chuck was proud of Jim and his grandsons. He shared photos and stories.

His sense of ethics, honesty, hard work and money management will remembered. Chuck was a good friend. Knowing him has helped shape my life. Thank you Chuck Benn.

Debi Stambaugh Norton

December 31, 2012

I also want to extend my sympathy, Jimmy. I am Helen Haley, my dad was in the Botany Dept.His name was Dutch Sylwester. They were good buddies , they cut each others' hair, forming the 'haircutting ' club. I enjoyed reading about his life, especially his war under Patton. Speaking of Hy-Vee, that is the last place I saw Chuck, sometime in the late *80's. We live in the LaCrosse area now. Rest in Peace, Chuck. Helen

December 27, 2012

What an amazing soul. What an amazing personality. What an amazing example for living. I will miss him and his world view and faith.

Melissa Warren

December 27, 2012

Chuck Benn was one of the dearest human beings I have ever had the pleasure to know. I worked with him at the ISU Veterinary College years ago and he was such a joy to be around. He was warm, witty, and so intelligent. Godspeed, "Chuckles."

Marcia Moore

December 27, 2012

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Funeral services provided by:

Adams Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Ames

502 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA 50010

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