Ralph Criswell Benson M.D.

My sympathy to the family of Ralph Benson, who was a cousin of my husband Andrew James (Jim) Rinner. Jim's father was a brother of Ralph's mother Margaret. Jim had never met Ralph but when we were in Portland in 1982, we had made contact with the Bensons and were invited for a lovely dinner and evening visit. Ralph also took us to see his mother who was 105 at the time. It was a very special evening and we had such good memories of that visit and graciousness of your parents. I am glad...

Dear Ralph Jr. and family : I read, this evening, of your Father's passing..I am so very sad as he was such a highlight of my life..My Mother and the Dowsetts and your parents all had such a good time together..and were good friends..He was a patient man and always kind and nice to me..I remember seeing him in the tiny library, one day, in your home on Vista Avenue with, what it seemed, piles of paper surrounding him..

To go back in time would be wonderful..Time passes so quickly...

Dear Dr. Ralph Benson family- Dr. Benson was my doctor and surgeon when I was in my teens and early 20's (in the 1960's and 70's) and he was the most wonderful, gentle, happy man and the best doctor I ever met. None have measured up to him since. Please accept my most sincere sympathy in your time of loss. I hope Dr. Benson lived a full wonderful life after retirement. My loving thoughts to you all, Patti Woodard

To Ralph Jr., and family: today I drove past your family home on Vista Ave. It was a nostalgic drive because I was taking my oldest granddaughter to see the places where I grew up. I met your folks only once or twice in the 1950's.
However, Ralph Jr., I always felt like I had known you a long time because your personality and humor was so contagious! To put it simply, we miss you. And now it is our turn at getting a lot older, and we do want to see you. Would you consider attending...

I was hired b;y Dr.Benson as a secretary in his office for Dr. H.J. Tatum who was on sabbatical in South America . This was in the 1960's at OHSU. We office secretaries all admired and respected Dr. Benson. He was a great boss. Lois Valentine Swanson, Secretary, Portland, OR.

Dr. Benson was a household name when I was growing up. I was my family's "miracle baby". After four miscarriages, my mother wrote to him in 1970 to take her case. He did and I was born! My mother remembers him as a very kind and gentle man. Now, I am working at OHSU!

Ralph was the chairman when I joined the ob/gyn department in 1976. I believe that I was the last faculty member that he hired. He was a gentle man who was a mentor to many doctors. He will be missed.

It was a honor to know Ralph. We enjoyed visiting him in Nashville in 2004 and in New Orleans in 2007. He was such an interesting person and we were so glad to have the privilege of meeting him in person and getting to know him a little. Ken and Connie Bauer