RICHARD BENKO

BENKO, Joseph Richard, 87, of Chesterfield, Va., formerly of Whispering Pines, N.C., went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 4, 2009. He was preceded in death two years ago by his beloved wife, Barbara Rush Benko. Known as "Poppen" to his family, he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Joe Amadee; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Beth Benko; grandchildren, Joey, Joy, Dave, Wendy, Katie, and Laura; great-grandchildren, Ava and Ariano. He was one of nine children and is survived by three siblings, John Benko, Ed Benko and Ann Benson. Mr. Benko served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific, during WWII, was a graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology (B.S. Electrical Engineering), was employed as a quality assurance manager by both Allis Chalmers in Pittsburgh, Pa. and the Stephens Adamson in Aurora, Illinois, was an avid golfer and a member of the Aurora Area Shrine Club Precision Driving Team. Prior to living with his daughter and family the past four years in Virginia, he and his wife resided in Whispering Pines, N.C., where they enjoyed retirement as members of Whispering Pines Country Club and Brownson Presbyterian Church since 1994. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, December 11, at Dale Memorial Park in Chesterfield, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Christian Youth Theater, 13531 E. Boundary Road, Midlothian, Va. 23112, www.cytrichmond.org or cards sent to 11220 Rabbit Ridge Rd., Chesterfield, Va. 23838.



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.