Arthur A. Benjamin

FUNERAL HOME

East Lawn Mortuary Greenback

5757 Greenback Lane

Sacramento, California

Arthur Benjamin Obituary

BENJAMIN, Arthur A.
SMSGT, USAF (Ret.)
Born December 28, 1938, in New York City, entered into rest on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at age 67. His strong spirituality and passion for life helped him survive prostate cancer with his well-known dignity, humor, and compassion.

He is survived by Beverly, his beloved wife of 21 years. Devoted and admiring father of daughter Dorothy and her husband Anthony Jones of Alameda, CA, adored grandson Anthony Arthur, brother Goodwin Benjamin and his wife Virginia of New York, stepdaughter Barbaree Hardy and stepgrandson Paul Hardy of Pasadena, CA. Also survived by aunt Myletta Kenney of Walnut, CA, and a host of loving friends and relatives.

Arthur Benjamin was born and raised in New York City. He attended Hamilton College and joined the United Sates Air Force in 1958. He served as a medical technician and nationally recognized health professions' recruiter. Assignments included lengthy tours of duty in Japan, New York, and California. Mr. Benjamin routinely received numerous decorations for his superior job performance and professionalism. He retired from the Air Force in 1980. From 1983 to 1992, Mr. Benjamin was an Air Force Junior ROTC Instructor at Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento, CA. While teaching, he earned a Masters Degree in Educational Administration and was appointed Vice Principal at C.K. McClatchy High School. In July of 1994, Mr. Benjamin returned to Hiram Johnson High School where he enthusiastically and energetically served as Principal, providing compassionated leadership until his retirement in June of 2000. Upon retirement, Mr. Benjamin eagerly embraced the sport of golf, traveling with his wife, and the company of his infant grandson, Anthony Arthur. He remained active in the community, serving as a lector and lay eucharistic minister at Trinity Cathedral and member of many civic and charitable organizations, including the UC Davis Advisory Board, American Cancer Society and Executive Director of the African American Prostate Cancer Initiative. Although Sacramento became his home, he believed that nothing surpassed the beauty and charm of Rockefeller Center at Christmas time.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Arthur Benjamin Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Dorothy Jones, 1718 Arbor St., Alameda, CA 94501. Viewing at East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Ln, on Monday and Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 PM. Service at Trinity Cathedral, 2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, CA, on Wednesday, March 8, at 10:30 AM. Interment, Camellia Memorial Lawn, 10221 Jackson Road, Sacramento.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sacramento Bee from Mar. 4 to Mar. 5, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Benjamin

13 Entries

Chris Parker

May 14, 2006

SMSgt. Benjamin was one of the greatest men I've ever known. He was professional, patient, compassionate and ever so generous.

In the years since I left Johnson, he has often been in my thoughts. I will miss him dearly.

SMSgt. Benjamin taught me so much more than just aerospace science.

Sgt. Benjamin- thank you.

Chris Parker

Ginia Sykes (Matthews)

March 14, 2006

Words are simply not enough to express how saddened I was to hear of Sgt. Benjamins passing. Kindness was part of his make up. He was my instructor in ROTC at Hiram Johnson and the impression he left on me was evident immediately.(to this day my mother says this was the only class I got a A in)He was always thoughtful. Even when I came to see him at Johnson 15 years later he would always ask me about my parents and what I was up to. He was a strong member of the church and seeing him outside of school at some church functions was always a pleasure. Our loss is a gain in Heaven. God has a new and beautiful jewel in his crown.

Arthur Benjamin at his finest

March 12, 2006

Kathleen Henry

March 9, 2006

SMSgt Benjamin was a truly gifted educator. I remember when he joined the AFROTC staff at Hiram Johnson and became my mentor. His infectious smile and laugh was enough to brighten my darkest day. I used to come back to Johnson just to see him. His teaching wasn’t just about the Air Force, it was about life. Even today, twenty-something years later, I still think of him and his advice often.

My prayers and condolences go to the Benjamin family. I know God is smiling because he has a new angel.

Ronald Krug

March 9, 2006

My condolences to the entire Benjamin family,And to you sir you taught me more in life than you will ever know. I love you and will miss you always

Go Air Force

Julian Jimenez

March 8, 2006

a truly great man, Mr. Benjamin was my principal while i attended Hiram Johnson. never have i seen an adult so dedicated to the education of young adults. He will be in my heart forever.

Thalia Fowler

March 8, 2006

I was one of his form students and I am so sorry to hear that he is gone. He taught me a lot about the air force and a lot about myself. Your family are in my prayers.

Thalia Fowler

Donald W. Ruthrauff

March 7, 2006

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to know and serve with Arthur Benjamin while we were stationed together at Mather AFB. He inspired those around him to do their very best. He was always positive, a hard worker and someone you wanted on your team. Art, we will miss you. Thank you for touching our hearts.

To your wife and family, please know you have our sympathy and are in our prayers during this very difficult time. Art will always live in our memory.

dee johnson

March 7, 2006

Bev:

We will keep you in our prayers. Love you,

The JOHNSONS

Dee-Anita-David-Denise

Vernon K. Lane

March 4, 2006

I was deeply saddened to hear of Arthur’s passing. We served together in the 3506 USAF Recruiting Group at Mather AFB in the late 1970’s. I will always remember him as energetic and highly professional. Art was always thinking of others. I’ve never know a nicer person.

Even though I had not seen Art for many years, he and some of the other members of the Group’s Training Team have often been in my thoughts. To his wife Beverly and his family, you are in my and my wife Nadine’s hearts and prayers during this difficult time. Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss and know that Arthur is now in a better place and that he will surely be missed by all those who knew him.

Dave Wesley

March 4, 2006

I met Art as a fellow prostate cancer survivor. But I knew him as a caring, compassionate, friendly, knowledgeable, humble, elegant gentleman who flat got things done. My heart goes out to Art's family during this time of grieving for a truly great man who left an enduring legacy.

Kristopher Borders

March 4, 2006

Mr. Benjamin, I was quite saddened to open up this morning's Bee and see that you had passed. You were a wonderful inspiration to me at Hiram Johnson, and the epitome of what a High School Principal should be. I admired your ardent concern for your students and your desire to see us succeed.

You were someone I tried to emulate in my academic pursuits, especially in ROTC. I didn't see many faces like mine, black and proud, in our program... At least not ones that were taken seriously. But I saw what you had done, and how you'd achieved in life and work, and it drove me to succeed in the program. I will never forget at AFJROTC Dining Out when you presented me with the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award. I've got a picture with you that I'll cherish forever.

My sincere condolences to your family and friends, as they are now without a wonderful loved one. However, I hope they can find some solace in the fact that you're in a much better place, free of all of the pain and discomfort you endured on this plane.

Take your rest now, Mr. Benjamin. One day, just as I did on the graduation stage, I'll be able to shake your hand again and say "Thank You".

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