William Frank Benson, M.D., age 77, an orthopaedic surgeon at St. Luke’s and Research hospitals, died peacefully at home on August 11, 2011. He specialized in Hand Surgery. He was a founding partner of Midwest Orthopaedic Clinic where he practiced from 1968-1993. He was associated with the Dickson-Dively Midwest Orthopaedic Clinic from 1993-1999, when he retired. Dr. Benson was born in Kansas City, Missouri and attended Pembroke Country Day School, graduating in 1952. He attended Dartmouth College, graduating in three years, and was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity where he served as president. After obtaining his medical degree at the Northwestern University Medical School, he interned at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. After completing his fellowship in orthopaedics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, he took a Hand Surgery Fellowship under Dr. Joseph Boyes and Dr. Herbert Stark in Los Angeles. He returned to Mayo for one year before moving back to Kansas City. Dr. Benson served as a medical officer in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Professional memberships include American Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Southern Medical Association, International College of Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Association of Hand Surgery, Doctors Mayo Society, Mayo Alumni Laureates, and the Coventry Orthopaedic Society. In Kansas City, Dr. Benson was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the Society of Fellows of the Nelson Museum, The River Club, The Kansas City Country Club, The American Royal Board of Governors, and on the faculty of UMKC Medical School. He was a former member of the Mayo Alumni Board, the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation Board, The Carriage Club, Mission Hills Country Club, The Saddle and Sirloin Club, The Garden of the Gods Club, and the International Wine and Food Society. He was an accomplished and gifted surgeon but is most remembered for his compassion and dedication to his patients. He possessed strong character, a tender heart, and a deep devotion to his family. His simple humor and gentle and sweet nature will be missed by his loving wife, daughters, grandchildren, and caregivers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Emil Lars Benson and by his nephew, Lars Benson. His wife, Rebecca Culpepper Benson, of the home, survives him. Other survivors include step-daughters, Megan O’Connor (Bill) Brownlee of Prairie Village and Shannon O’Connor Christian of Denver and grandchildren Rebecca and Will Brownlee and Dan, Claire and Reece Christian. His brother, Ed Benson and his wife, Judy, their daughters, Ellen Merriman and Lynne Benson, and many beloved cousins survive him. He will be missed by scores of esteemed colleagues, appreciative patients, and dear friends. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 19, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Private committal service at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to the William F. Benson, M.D. Memorial Fund, St. Luke’s Foundation, 4225 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64111; to The Mayo Foundation, Wm. F. Benson, M.D. Memorial Fund, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Kansas City Hospice, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114; or St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (attention William and Rebecca Benson Endowment Fund), 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri 64113. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.
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