As we navigate through life without our dad
Robert Bensing died August 18 of stomach cancer. He was 93.
Dad fought in WWII. He was a member of Patton’s 3rd army, at the Battle of the Bulge. It was Hitler’s last desperate attempt to win the war. My father was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and a medal of Valor from the French Embassy for his help in saving Paris from the Germans.
He was born in Chicago. He never loved any woman more than my mom. They were happily married for 63 years, until my mom past away in 2017. It broke his heart.
A member of the greatest generation, my father’s life can be best described by the word “struggle”. Life was a struggle. He was brought up during the Great Depression. He worked hard. It was important to sacrifice in order to save money to buy us things. Mom and dad sacrificed for their kids, who gave their parents hell by doing drugs and getting in legal trouble. My dad never did drugs, but drugs ruined his life. He never broke the law. If he saw a stop sign, he stopped! Dad was a good soldier, and he taught me a lot. Respect, always acknowledge a person’s presence, how to improvise, and to be happy with what I have. Dad lived a simple life. He liked to joke and laugh. Some might say he was playful. The last thing I said to dad was, “I love you dad.” As I write this obituary, the next time I will see Dad will be at his wake. Dad, you are the best. Our family was blessed. Lord Jesus, son of God, have mercy on my father.
