Henry Charles Benedict

1933 - 2024

Dr. Henry C Benedict, who went by ""Dr. B"" or ""Hank"" passed away peacefully on April 24, 2024 at 90 years of age from natural causes.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Hank had a tumultuous childhood where he lost his father unexpectedly at age 7. The middle of three kids, his mother moved the family several times before finally landing in Los Angeles. While not planning to go to college, he realized in his senior year his friends were all going, so he applied to the University of Southern California. It's there that he began a remarkable journey of academic and professional achievement. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from USC, followed by a Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
After his education in his early years, Hank proudly served his country in the Army as a research assistant at the US Medical Research Laboratory at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Following his military service, Hank embarked on a teaching career, where he taught at Mt. Vernon Jr. High. After teaching students at Mt. Vernon he went back to school on a scholarship obtaining a PhD in Psychology from Washington University in St Louis.
Once he had obtained his PhD he taught abnormal psychology for many years at Cal State University Long Beach. He taught at night and by day worked as a Clinical Psychologist at the Long Beach VA. He dedicated 55 years of his life to serving the Long Beach VA, where he touched countless lives with his kindness, wisdom, and understanding. He retired in 2020 at the age of 86.
He made Seal Beach his home when he was hired at the Long Beach VA. He loved Seal Beach instantly, calling it ""geographical love at first sight"" where he lived in a beachfront apartment with friends. He remembers that the reason his friends let him move in was because he had a color TV with a remote control! He felt so lucky to have been able to live beachfront. In 1974, Hank married Linda and they decided to buy a home on ""The Hill"" in Seal Beach.
Three years after they moved to ""The Hill"" Linda gave birth to Jennifer, who was born in 1977. According to all who knew him Jennifer was ""the apple of his eye"" and he cherished his new role as a father, embodying love and devotion to every aspect of her life. After 20 years of marriage, Hank embraced a new chapter when he was remarried to Carol Sutton. They shared a love of dogs and the outdoors. It was Carol who found a small Silky Yorkie puppy wandering the neighborhood and brought her home. They decided to adopt her and name her Molly. Hank walked Molly daily and sometimes for miles. Hank would let Molly choose where they would go - she would pull on the leash and he would follow. They loved to make new friends and see the neighborhood on their walks. Later he found enjoyment spending time with the dogs and volunteers at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
Throughout his life, Hank touched the hearts of all who knew him with his kindness, generosity, and most of all, his unwavering optimism. His compassionate nature and boundless empathy were evident not only in his professional endeavors but also in his role as a loving father.
Hank is survived by 3 nephews, Michael, David, and Peter Riherd, whom he shares his December 10th birthday, and his daughter Jennifer and her husband Steve Beemer. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, and colleagues.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any charity that helps animals, his two favorites were the Seal Beach Animal Care Center (www.sbacc.org) and the Wildlife Learning Center (www.wildlifelearningcenter.org).
A celebration of Hank's life will be held on May 19, 2024, please contact Jennifer at jenniferbenedict@rocketmail.com if you would like to attend.