Benton K Partin

Brigadier General Benton Kirk Partin (USAF, retired) went to be with the Lord on December 20th, 2019. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Cynthia Joy Wells and is greatly missed by his children, grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. The son of Aldridge Stuart and Bertha Barnes Partin, Ben was born on December 2, 1925, in Lumberton, NC and grew up in Chadbourn, NC.

Ben spent 31 years in the Air Force as well as two years in the aviation cadet program in WWII. He was a command pilot and a command missileman with over 4,000 hours of flying time including combat hours in Vietnam.

He spent the majority of his career in research and development principally helping advance the Air Force’s precision weapons capability. Among the R&D leadership roles he held were founding chairman of the OSD joint service Air Munitions Requirements and Development Committee, commander of the Air Force Armament Lab, and deputy for systems at the Aeronautical Systems Division.

Ben obtained a BS in chemical engineering from North Carolina State College, an MS in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, completed nearly all the course work for a Ph.D. in operations research from Case Institute of Technology, completed all the course work for a Ph.D. in statistics from Western Reserve University, and graduated from the Air War College as a distinguished graduate. He was commissioned in the Air Force upon NC State graduation as an AFROTC distinguished military graduate.

Among his military decorations were the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit (three times). In retirement, Ben served in a number of roles including as a Special Assistant to the Administrator of the FAA and Chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Party. He was also a Member of the Board for In Touch Missions International, a Member of the Board for Front Line Fellowship, founding Chairman of the School Board for Engleside Christian School, and the Washington representative for the Association of Christian Schools International.

Trusting in Christ as a youth, Ben had a strong faith in God, a generous and congenial spirit, exceptional forbearance, and a gentle and clever sense of humor. To the end, his main concern was for others. He was a very hard worker, cared very deeply about America, had a very keen interest in world affairs and current events. He always enjoyed being around extended family and would go to great lengths traveling to take his family to be with them. He loved gardening and, in retirement, motoring around the Potomac River with family, especially grandchildren.

Ben is survived by his four children: Kirk Partin (Dallas) of Columbia, SC; Wayne Partin (Becky) of Chester, VA; Bruce Partin (Terri) of Hollis, NH, and Bonnie (Mike) Kidd of Fairfax Station, VA. He also leaves behind thirteen (13) grandchildren and eighteen (18) great-grandchildren. There will be a public viewing at the Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, Virginia at 5308 Backlick Road between 10 am and noon this Saturday, December 28th.

Burial will be Monday February 24th, 2020 at Arlington National Cemetery at 9 am. There will be a funeral memorial service following the burial at 11 am. located at Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, Virginia at 6911 Braddock Rd, Springfield, VA 22151.