The Life of ROBERT EUGENE BENSON
Robert “Bob” Eugene Benson, 82, went to sing in the heavenly choir on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at Taylor House Hospice.
Services will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at Altoona United Methodist Church, 602 5th Street SW, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 17, 2011, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the church.
Robert was born October 25, 1928, in Perry, Iowa, to Martin and Marie (McNeley) Benson. He graduated from Madrid High School in 1947. He served in the United States Navy from 1947 to 1951, and was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Robert married Violet Leonard on November 19, 1953, at Collins Church of Christ in Collins, Iowa. They were happily married 57 years. He worked for Allied Mutual as Supervisor of the Printing Department, and later worked at the Post Office as a Mail Handler until his retirement in 1996.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Marie; brother, Jim; and infant sister, Eva. He is survived by his wife, Violet (Leonard) Benson; two children, Ben (Debbie) Benson of Des Moines, Iowa, and Diane (Mike) Waterman of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; grandchildren, Nicole and Brittany Waterman, Al Thacker, III, and Angie Aldrich; three great-grandchildren; as well as one sister, Betty LeMaster of Boone, Iowa.
Bob loved singing in multiple choirs, playing his baritone, bowling, and collecting baseball caps and different state mugs. He was involved in the American Legion #374, Auburn Masonic Lodge and VFW. Bob served on the Board of Trustees at the Altoona United Methodist Church.
He enjoyed watching Old Westerns and game shows. He played many hours of card games on the computer.
Memorials may be directed to the music ministry at Altoona United Methodist Church, 602 5th Avenue SW, Altoona, Iowa 50009.