Frank R. Benson

Dad passed away peacefully on October 8, 2024, at the age of 94. He was surrounded by his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren and Mom (Phyllis) was waiting for him in heaven. They were both longing to see each other again. It was painful and difficult for us to lose Dad but we knew Mom would be there and show him the way. Mom and Dad were married for 62 years and know how to work together.
After Mom passed away in 2019, Dad lived independently in the house where we were raised and was out working in the yard, walking and riding his recumbent bike right til the end exactly as he wanted.
Dad was born in Conneaut, Ohio in 1930, son of Julius Benson and Florence Evans Benson. He was raised on his parents' farm in Jefferson along with his brothers Robert, Al, Noel and Jack and his sister, Phyllis. Dad grew up working hard, playing hard, swimming in the creek with his brothers and friends and riding Shiner, his favorite horse. There was no electricity or water in the house until he was about eight years old. He joked that, if you were the oldest, you got clean bath water, and that his favorite brand of toilet paper in the outhouse was Sears and Roebuck. The boys slept in the attic of the farm house or in the barn if it was too hot at night. In spite of the challenges of farm life at the time, Grandma made sure that the boys learned manners, were respectful and well-educated.
These early life experiences helped guide him through graduation at Jefferson High School and Ohio Wesleyan University. During his time at OWU, he joined Delta Tau Delta fraternity where he got to know John Yoder, who became a lifelong friend. He then served in the Air Force for several years working at a radar base in northern Michigan. After the Air Force, he started on a masters degree at Ohio State University before going to work for Ansul Chemical in Marinette, Wisconsin, in 1954. He met Mom there in 1956 and they were married in 1957. While they were dating, they often went canoeing on the Peshtigo and Little Menominee Rivers, and to their favorite supper club, Schaffer's.
The Family Benson started taking shape in 1958 with Greg's birth, followed by Matt in 1960 and Danny in 1963. It grew to include three daughters-in-law – Kitty, Mollie and Carol – and two beautiful granddaughters – Kirsten and Kelsey. Greg and Kitty live in Waukegan, IL. and are Kirsten's and Kelsey's parents. Matt and Mollie live in Indianapolis, IN. Danny and Carol live in Hayward, WI. All came together for many memorable family gatherings over the years.
Dad worked for several companies in sales and management, ending his career with Hercules Chemical Company in the paint and coatings business. He also worked with his brother, Noel, on the farm and his brother, Jack, in Washington, DC.
Dad was an avid outdoorsman fishing, hiking, hunting, canoeing, wilderness camping, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching and, later in life, bicycling. He also loved wood-working, decoy carving, working in the yard, house and on our cars maintaining and repairing just about anything.
He shared all these activities with us throughout our lives. We learned a lot of life lessons in a canoe, duck blind, the grouse woods of northeast Ohio and northern Wisconsin or with a shovel in our hands. We couldn't imagine a better way to grow up or a better family to be part of. Mom and Dad set the tone and built our wonderful family.
Dad was a progressive, fair-minded person with a calm, thoughtful, patient demeanor. He rarely raised his voice, always had a smile and twinkle in his eye and never complained.
He loved Mom, his sons, his daughters-in-law and granddaughters. He was always there for us, he was special and it's hard to think of a world or our lives without him.
Per Dad's wishes, a private family gathering will be held to celebrate his life.