Fond memories of our lovely day in Kent countryside.  Such an interesting and interested loving man. Sincere sympathies to you all.Janet and George.x

Condolences to the Benson family.  So glad we were able to visit with Norm at our 50th  HS class reunion in 2021.  We look forward to visiting the family at his celebration of life. 

Loren & Cheryl Grummons
 Class of 1971

My friendship with Norm began at Wildcat golf course about a year before his ALS diagnosis.  Over countless rounds, he became my most frequent golfing buddy, and it's easy to see why.  Norm's company was a true gift.  We shared so many wonderful hours in the golf cart, discussing everything from politics and family to faith, always with a healthy dose of humor about our golf game.  His grace in the face of his ALS diagnosis was inspiring. He was determined not to be a burden, a testament to his selfless nature. Norm, you will be deeply missed.

Norm was the perfect patriarch - the head of a tight-knit family, immediate and extended.  He was the cliches, without being a cliche - a foundation, a cornerstone, an anchor, the eye of the storm.  An exceptional man gone, a lasting legacy left.

I first met Norm when we worked together in Kazakhstan in 1998. The oil and gas industry tends to spread people around the world but we kept in touch as much as possible and met when the opportunity arose. Most of the time we were limited to a few days here and there but we always planned a longer trip when the opportunity arose. I tried to convince Norm that it was time to retire instead of producing that last drop of oil and I’m glad he finally listened and got onto his bucket list.
For those of us that have served, a friend that you can trust implicitly is certainly a valuable person in your life and Norm was unquestionably that to me. Aside from the serious aspects of work and life challenges, that Norm was always striving to solve, he also had a great sense of humour, and, to my surprise, perfectly understood and upheld the sarcastic sense of humour from my part of the world. As he calmly whipped me, by a very large margin, in every game of golf we ever played, that humour was at its best.
Never one to let adversity stop him, Norm finally made it to Australia to visit me in 2023. Immediately upon meeting my brother he had made another friend.  That was a common theme, as the people whom I met, and knew Norm, always had nothing but praise for his personal qualities and friendliness.
Only recently we laughed as we discovered that in all the time we’d known each other we never actually knew our respective ages. When we finally discussed it and amusingly discovered the difference was 13 years, it was never of any importance because that is what friendship is all about.
We may have never made that big trip, and I will always sorely miss my buddy Norm, he’ll live forever in my heart and soul, until we meet again, and the fine bottle of whisky he gifted me I’ll drink a thimble full once a year in his memory.
Lastly, to all of Norm’s family – grieve now, as we all do, then celebrate and cherish the memories of a truly wonderful person. God Bless.

Sorry for your loss. I worked with Norm in Algeria and respected both his management skills as well as his leadership

I had the honor of meeting Norm on his first assignment after his graduation from West Point. He and two of his close friends and classmates (Chuck Haver & John Tilley) joined us in the Airborne Moatengators. 
That, of course, occurred in Panama where Norm also met and married his wife, Cecci. My wife recalls “she was always the prettiest girl in the room.” As his company commander, I recall trying to talk them out of getting married altogether, because they were too young. (I’d been wrong before and since).
During that time in the Panamanian jungles, I quickly discovered Norm’s incredible leadership, intellect and compassion. I knew then he was destined for greatness.
Circumstances sent us on our separate ways and we connected briefly only once over the next 40 years. By fate, or divinity, the aforementioned John and Chuck discovered me and invited me to join their Zoom meetings several months ago. That was pure joy but Norm and I also communicated frequently with his always engaging emails - reinforcing my earlier admiration of his character and accomplishments. His love for and pride in his family were always evident. 
On that fateful day of the Houston snowfall last week, Norm sent me a picture of Houstonians walking in the snow. And, he also attempted to explain how someone could live in Houston and NOT be a Texan fan.
As family and friends process and grieve, I know they will recognize the gift they have received by knowing and living with Norm’s greatness. We all should.
“May it be said well done. Be thou at peace”
Kenn Harris
Col (R), USA

Dear Benson Family,
I was deeply saddened to hear about Norman’s passing. He was not only an exceptional professional but also a kind, compassionate, and inspiring individual. As a colleague and leader, he made a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working with him.

He wasn’t just a leader; he was a friend to everyone. He always took the time to give personal advice and offer support, leaving a positive mark on all our lives.

Baku city will definitely miss him, and he will live on in the hearts of Azerbaijanians forever. Norman’s guidance, wisdom, and humanity will always be remembered, and I feel fortunate to have known him.

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace, and may you find strength in the cherished memories you shared with him.

With heartfelt condolences,
Navai Mammadov

Norm and I first met in Egypt when he was working in the engineering dept. and I was in drilling.  Engineers and drillers always had the best of relationships and Norm only enhanced those.   What I am really saying is the engineering dept.  always wanted difficult wells drilled faster and cheaper to meet economics.  Norm was a master at managing this.  No matter what my position was, he would not only talk me around to it but make me think it was my idea.  He always had an enormous sense of confidence and I don't think there was a decision or idea he ever had second thoughts about in his life.   Like many relationships in Egypt ours lasted a long time after we left.

And Norms confidence never waned.   When I last saw him in Houston he decided we should go get a burger.   Not having a car I asked how we would get there.  "Easy, he said, I'm driving".  He had no second thoughts about that - an interesting experience.
RIP Norm.

For many of us the pain of this loss will linger. We’ve lost a fine friend, a fine person. In my own case it’s a loss of an old and special friend—e.g., Norm and I were at West Point together; then in the Canal Zone; then at Ft. Stewart. And we never lost touch. Naturally, my heart goes out to Cecy and the kids. I wish them strength and peace. 
I console myself with the thought that although the end of a life well lived is something to mourn, the life itself is something to celebrate!

I have known Norm since we joined The United States Military Academy together in 1971.  We were company mates in F company in the 3rd Regiment of cadets.  We were roommates for much of our time at the Academy and we spent about as much time together as one could over those 4 years.  We were in the gym most of the nights playing some sport, and we were members of the Hunting and Fishing club, and we had a great time.  We traveled to NYC on occasion we went to Ranger School together our Junior year.  The next summer we served on the Camp Buckner Committee together teaching infantry skills to younger cadets.  Upon Graduation he served in my wedding and then he headed to Panama and I headed to  Germany.  We stayed in contact over the years, went fishing together in Canada,  and traveled to India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Cambodia together.  Norm was the real Indiana Jones.  He traveled across the globe with many of his friends.  He was a great friend, son, father, husband, officer, and businessman.  He never met a person he did not like.  I will miss him!

Norm was a great man, great friend and great professional. We met first time in Kazakhstan in 1998, when we both worked for FIOC, he used to be my direct superior in his capacity of the Operations Manager, I served there as a Sazankurak Field Manager. Since that time we became friends and were always in touch, sharing with each other news and challenges of each other's career pass. Lately we worked together in Baku, thought for different companies. We were meeting with him for dinner at least once a month at Paul's, his favourite Baku stake house. 

I have visited  Norm on January 6 when I learned he has ALS and we have spent almost an hour chatting and telling the stories... As I told him when I hugged him and said goodbye to him last time, he was one of a very few people who really influenced my career and professional life. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.

My deepest condolences to Norm's family and everyone who loved and admired him.  May your soul rest in peace...

Norm was one of kind!!  We first met in Doha, Qatar in 2004 and we kept in touch after that no matter where we were at in the world.  But it was the trip to Antarctica in Feb/Mar 2023 that was the very best.  He asked if I was sure I wanted him to come along as he might slow me down.   Hell, I think I slowed him down!  He was always ready to jump in the Zodiac to go exploring.  Our steward asked if there was anything we needed in our cabin - Norm said "I like potato chips"!  Every day after that there was a huge bowl of chips in the room especially for Norm; he loved it!!  We had this super trip together, one I'll never forget.  He had a special book made up of our trip and send me a copy.  Thanks Norm.  Miss you Buddy!!!

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Norman Gustaf Benson II

5 mai 1953 – 22 janvier 2025

Heights Funeral Home

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