Robert Wayne Benson
BENSON, SWANSON, SHELLADY, HAYEK, HERRICK, HOWELL, TODD, CARLSON
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 8/28/2018 at 11:00:58
Robert Wayne Benson passed away on August 12, 2018 at Solon Care Center.
Family will be celebrating Robert with a private service but in honor of Robert’s memory, memorials may be directed to the Robert W. Benson Memorial Fund in care of Julie Hayek.
Bob was born in Burlington Iowa on September 15, 1924 to Signa (Swanson) and Paul Nels Benson. Bob graduated from Burlington High School and was President of his senior class, 1943. During WWII, Bob enlisted in the Army and served as a combat medic in the 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He fought in the Battle of Saipan and the Battle of Okinawa earning a Bronze Star among other awards.
After the war Bob returned to the University of Iowa where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and met Jacqueline Louise Shellady. They married on September 6, 1947 at the First United Methodist Church of Iowa City. Bob graduated with a degree in General Sciences. Soon after they moved to Burlington where Bob owned and operated Union Supply Company with his brother Paul E. Benson.
Bob served as president of the Burlington Golf Club, president of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors for Burlington Bank and Trust and on the board for Messiah Lutheran Church. He was also active in Elks, Kiwanis, poker club and dance club. His other interests included, hunting, fishing, gardening, cooking, oil painting, reading, Hawkeye football and basketball, golf, wintering in Florida for nearly 50 years and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Bob was a true gentleman who brought out the best in the people around him. He always had a great big smile and a twinkle in his eye - his zest for life. In 2000, Bob and Jackie moved back to Iowa City where they rejoined the Methodist Church, they were married 69 years before Jackie's death in 2016.
Robert Benson is survived by his son Robert S. Benson and daughter Julie Benson Hayek (C. Peter), four grandchildren: Benjamin P. Hayek (Jaclyn), Robert W. Benson, David J. Hayek (Sarah), Molly E. Herrick (Joseph) and six great grandchildren: Ava Herrick, Anna Hayek, Jack Herrick, Elsie Hayek, Will Hayek and Walker Hayek, two nieces Barbara Benson Howell and Susan Benson Todd, one nephew John P. Benson and one cousin Shirley Carlson.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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