Phyllis Benson Roberts

Phyllis was born August 9, 1923 in Batavia, Illinois, to Merrill and Frances Benson, who predeceased her along with her husband, University of Texas chemistry professor Royston M. Roberts, and brother, Allen Benson. She died in Austin on January 30, 2016 at age 92, having touched all she knew with her gentle spirit.

Phyllis Arlene Benson graduated from Batavia High School as valedictorian, and led the high school orchestra as first violin. While studying at the University of Illinois as a Phi Beta Kappa English major, she met Royston, and they were married for 53 years until his death. She was a member of the University of Texas Chemistry Wives club and constantly opened her home to her husband’s graduate students. She traveled extensively with Royston during his work in Switzerland, Germany, Romania, and Egypt. Phyllis was a patron of the arts, a painter, a violinist, and a singer in the University Presbyterian Church Choir for many years. In 2002, a music scholarship was established in her honor at the University of Texas, to support aspiring violinists. She was deeply dedicated to her church, serving as an elder and volunteering in countless ways for more than fifty years. She was an exceptionally kind and loving wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her children, daughter Jeanie (and Bob) Hermansen and sons Rick (and Franci), Dave and Stanly, sister Marilyn (and Luman) Hughes, sister-in-law Mary Ellen Benson, grandson Daniel (and Lisa) Roberts, and their daughters Ava and Ashley, granddaughters Catherine Hermansen and Honelie (and Derrek) Harper and their children Madeline, Daxton, Dekker, and Genevieve, and numerous nieces and nephews and special friends.

We wish to thank the staff of Brookdale Spicewood Springs and Brookdale Hospice for their expert and sensitive care.

A Memorial Service will be held at University Presbyterian Church at 2203 San Antonio St. in Austin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 13, 2016.