Eric "Rick" Benjamin

Eric Morse Benjamin, known to most of his friends and family as “Rick” was born in Waverly, Iowa, on April 17, 1947. With failing health over the past several months, it was on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, that he passed away at his home.

Eric grew up Winterset, Iowa with his parents, 2 sisters and 1 brother. Upon graduation, he attended Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, where he played basketball, ran cross country and met his wife, Sondra Sue Waddell. They were married in October of 1969 and relocated to Auburn, Nebraska. Eric transferred to Peru State College to major in Teaching and Coaching.

While in Auburn, he worked at the Deep Rock Gas Station. It was here that he started to meet and make more friends in town. He worked as the Shipping Supervisor at Triangle Pacific for many years. Eventually he moved on to other occupations in the community, from being the owner/operator of Rick’s Pool Hall to working for Hearts United for Animals, Tecumseh Poultry “Smart Chicken” as a Shipping Supervisor and for the past 19 years, he worked as a caregiver with SENDS/APACE.

Friends and family that knew Rick well, knew one thing for certain…he LOVED horse racing. Many Saturdays were filled with trips to Omaha to watch the horses run at Ak-Sar-Ben Race Track while Sondra and daughter Stacey would spend the day shopping around Omaha. During the past several years and with his failing health, he no longer made the trips to Omaha’s Horseman Park to watch the races, but instead you could always find him behind his desk watching the simulcasted races on his laptop and doing his betting on-line.

Many years ago, Rick’s brother-in-law, Gary, introduced him to golf. This brought out a new hobby, to which, he really enjoyed doing and on those warmer days, he would be at the golf course. During the winter months, he really enjoyed going out to the Auburn Country Club to play cards.

Rick always valued knowledge. He would pass time away working on crossword puzzles and could tell you the name of just about every movie star and movie or show they were in. When he didn’t know something, thanks to his son-in-law John, he became good friends with “Alexa.”

After Sondra’s passing in June of 2019, he re-connected with an old friend, Linda Kalina. Linda and Rick were both night owls, had many things in common, loved listening to music, enjoyed trips up to Omaha, driving around town and watching a good movie or Western cowboy show on TV.

Rick had a smile and laugh like no other. He had a love of family, friends and for animals. He is survived by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Stacey (John) Hayes, grandson Aiden of Auburn; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon (Bruce) Hann of Denver, CO; close cousin Robert “Bob” Hilburn and wife Melanie, of Huntsville, TX; sister-in-law Peggy Erskine of Creston, IA; brother-in-law Gary Waddell and wife Suzanne of Henderson, NV; special friend, Linda Kalina of Table Rock; six nieces, two nephews, fur-pup Abby, many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sondra, parents, Joseph and Freda, Sister, Diane and Brother Charles “Chuck”.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025, 3:00 p.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Burial of ashes will take place at a later date in Sheridan West Cemetery at Auburn.

Memorials suggested to family choice or Hearts United for Animals.