David Price Benseler

I am just now (November 7, 2020) learning of Dave's passing. He was my mentor for many years, first at Washington State, then later at Ohio State. I'm not sure he ever understood just how large a role he played in my life. RIP, Dave Benseler.

Had it not been for Herr Benseler I may not have finished college. I was a second year student at WSU in Pullman, not much direction, average (at best) motivation, no major in mind, with limited foreign language experience. I ended up in Herr Benseler's 2nd year German language class and was immediately energized by his enthusiasm and compassion. As the best teachers do, he made learning fun! He challenged me, he poked good natured fun at me, he inspired me to work hard and learn. What a...

So sorry to hear of Dave's passing. I graduated high school with him and was looking forward to our 50th reunion. You're in our prayers.

I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. My prayers and condolences are for your family.

Dear Suzanne,
Bob and I grieve with you in the untimely death of Dr. Benseler, DMLL Chair at Case Western Reserve where I was Lecturer in German. We remember the joyous faculty parties at the Parkland mansion, where we met tenured and newly-arrived language professors. "And God will wipe away all tears."

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and members of The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, I want to send the family and friends of David our deepest sympathies and collective prayers during this difficult time. David was a long-time member of ACTFL and involved for years in various activities of the association, including chairing the Birkmaier Awards Committee just two years ago. We are all saddened by his untimely passing and the loss of a good friend, colleague...

Dave and I were colleagues and friends for more than forty years. As a newly minted Ph.D. Germanics professor at Washington State University in the late 1960s, he soon showed his natural leadership in state and regional professional organizations in the Pacific Northwest. The Washington Association of Foreign Language Teachers honored him with its Pro Lingua Award for his outstanding contributions to the profession. He edited the collected papers from several meetings of the Pacific Northwest...

The Association of Departments of Foreign Languages joins family and friends in mourning David's death, and in celebrating his life. David was a friend and valued colleague, and language educators who knew and worked with him are richer for his years of dedication to our field.
Nelly Furman
David Goldberg

Dave was editor of MLJ when I published my first article there. I remember his kindness, encouragement, and support of a young colleague just getting her feet wet. It was several more years before I met him at a conference, yet he still remembered me and how he knew my name. Although I did not know him well and saw him infrequently at professional meetings, I was always touched by his early encouragement and his remembering who I was.