Charlie Benedict was my friend since high school. While I knew who he was for those first three years, we didn't meet "officially" until our class retreat senior year. We crossed paths at a record player on a seemingly endless loop of James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend" and our first real interaction was a mutual complaint (and many laughs) about how tired we were of hearing it. But little did I know how true that song was and how appropriate it would be for the 35+ years that followed. When I would come home on break from college, Charlie and I, along with "the gang" couldn't wait to get together, whether it was at Grandpa's or the UBAA. One day, our core group came to the realization how much we were like the main cast of Seinfeld in our general personalities and senses of humor. I was Jerry, Charlie was Kramer, and the fun was endless. During the early '90s, Charlie introduced me to camping and fishing, and our subsequent angling adventures took us from Busse Woods to the Skokie Lagoons to Eagle Lake in Ontario, Canada. We also discovered a strong mutual love for Star Wars. In the years to come, we attended our fair share of conventions in Chicago and Indianapolis and met many of the cast members together. Often, we got into some really crazy speculative discussions and theories about different elements from the movies. For Halloween 1999 we dressed up in costumes to take his nephew, Ben, trick-or-treating. Charlie went as a Stormtrooper and I went as a Jedi. Honestly, I think we had even more fun than Ben did. Ironically, though, when it came to daily life and his overall outlook on the universe, Charlie was far more of a Jedi than I'll ever be. He embodied the ideals of courage, honesty, charity, tolerance, helpfulness, generosity, honor, and so many others. In that respect, I prefer not to think of him so much as having passed away, but of (as the Jedi say), having become one with the Force.

I will miss our daily meetings as you always kept me abreast of the latest happenings.  You will always be in my heart MY BROWN

We didn’t have many times to be with Charlie but, like all the Benedict family,  he was very friendly and warm. We send our condolences to all the family he left behind, our thoughts are with you . Joan & Neil (Skip)

To Charles' family and friends: Please accept my heartfelt sympathies. You will be in my thoughts during this difficult time.

- Tom Zittnan, L.A. '86

To the Benedict Family;

My deepest condolences regarding Charlie's passing.  As we know he was an integral part of the Ajax family and will be missed.  He will also be missed as a friend.

Whenever Katie spoke of her brother Charlie I remembered his bright eyes and smiling face, ready for fun. He is forever young and vital in my mind. His ingenuity was a gain for many, and so his passing is a loss for many as he made his mark on the world.  No mark more so than on his loved ones who I pray may find some comfort in their combined memories and the passing of time. 

When I was at Ajax and would take my well deserved nap, Charlie would catch me and take a picture and show everyone.   Also at Xmas he would hang a bell from my shirt or pants without me knowing.  He got a kick out of that.

OBITUARY

Charles Andrew Benedict

February 23, 1967 – October 29, 2021

Lauterburg - Oehler Funeral Home

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