John Everett "Fud" Benson

I met Fud through a musician friend, John Roberts, one evening when we stopped by the shop. Fud and John played music, while I studied the light inside the shop as it hit the large crane, walls, and the lamplight and moonlight outside the large open back door. On learning that I was interested in calligraphy, he generously opened his safe and brought out some rare books for me to study while they played. We met several times afterward, once while I was designing books on Beacon Street and he was working on lettering above the Museum of Art. He was a serious and dedicated Man of Letters with a kind and fun loving sense of musical play, and lived an excellent and admirable life.
May we remember him with joy that he was among us for as long as he was. Hannah S Wiseheart, Santa Fe, New Mexico

I treasure a palpable memory of Fud, at RISD...Walking down Benefit Street, I came across him at work up on a ladder, as he "effortlessly" carved the letters into the lintel of the building that was to become, BENSON HALL, named for his brilliant and iconic father.

I'm so sad to see this news. I've got fond memories of all the Benson brothers from working on jewelry in Tom's old building at 18 Elm St. in the 1970's, being on the board of the Arts and Cultural Alliance at it's start working with Barbara and watching musical performances at local venues like The Pelham. Newport is not the same without them and their energy. Alexa is my favorite font! The talent is too numerous to mention. Love and thoughts, Susan Sarantos

Dear Karen,
Thinking of you as you celebrate your husband´s beautiful life, and sending you love and prayers during this difficult time.Donna

Fud was a brilliant musician as well as his talents with stone carving-and we enjoyed hearing him and his musical group perform-(I remember when Fisher and Howard were excited that Tommy Tew was going to have a sibling) that would be Fud!