He was born to C. Emerson and Irma F. Benjamin in Ridgefield, CT on November 28, 1927.
After graduating from Ridgefield High School he enlisted in the US Navy where he served as a flight crew chief in the Naval Air Corps. Following his honorable discharge, he continued his education as a flight engineer. He put those skills to use as a driver, mechanic, and builder in the sport of auto racing, a passion he passed on to his son and grandchildren.
Mr. Benjamin’s professional life in CT included work as a tool and die maker at Schlumberger Inc. in Ridgefield, and service manager at Auto Haus, the Mercedes Benz dealership in Danbury,
He eventually assumed control of the family business, Colonial Realty of Ridgefield CT, serving as a broker/appraiser and Community College instructor until his retirement in 1994.
Mr. Benjamin was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Jensen Beach for 25 years. He served as an usher and trustee, sang in the choir, and was a valued member of United Methodist Men.
Because he believed in giving back to the community, he was a member of both the Jensen Beach Kiwanis Club and American Legion.
His love of music attracted him to Schumacher Music’s Organ Club of Stuart, and he shared his talents as a volunteer entertainer at local retirement communities and nursing homes.
He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing, reading, cruise vacations and updating his computer skills. And as a member of “The Greatest Generation”, he had the privilege of participating in an Honor Flight to the WW II memorial in Washington , DC.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 69 years, H. Marie Benjamin of the Cabana at Jensen Dune; son, Richard W. (Kathleen) Benjamin of Matthews, NC; grandchildren, Kelly (Adam) Lundgren; Kyle (Amy) Benjamin; Ryan (Melia) Benjamin; and great grandchildren, Chloe, Ben, Austin, Tyler, and Blake.
A visitation will be held on January 18, 2019 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Jensen Beach at 9:00 AM with the Service of Death and Resurrection following at 10:00AM. Interment will be held at Bushnell National Cemetery on Tuesday, January 22 at 1:30 PM.
In gratitude for the loving care and compassion extended to their beloved “Dickie” and “Poppy ”in the final days of his life, the family has requested memorial contributions in his honor be made to Treasure Coast Hospice of Martin County.
Arrangements entrusted to Aycock Funeral Home, Jensen Beach, FL.
