Dr. Benn is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Mae Benn. Together they have been blessed with three children and their families, who also survive him: Christopher Douglas Benn (Susan Darlene Benn), Susan Ann Benn Bishop and Kathy Lynn Foote (Ronald Starling); four grandchildren: Ashley, Amanda, Madeline and Joshua; and two great-grandchildren, all residing in Texas.
Dr. Benn and Shirley were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Michigan, on July 16, 1955. They regularly attended church services. Doug served several years in a variety of positions in both Presbyterian and Congregational churches as Usher, Deacon, Church Trustee and Lay Minister.
With great love for each other and their children, Doug and Shirley have ventured forward in their lives that has spanned moving their family 23 times into 7 states over the past 68 years, in their quest for greater responsibilities. Dr. Benn and his family moved to Texas in 1978.
Doug was born on May 8, 1936 at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He moved with his parents in 1945 to restore a large vacant farm in Jackson County, Michigan after World War II. In addition to general farming with horses, then a tractor, he was on the basketball team, payed trombone in two bands for four years and graduated from Hanover-Horton High School in 1954.
After two years studying aeronautical engineering, he graduated from Jackson Junior College in 1956, continued his studies at the University of Michigan for a year, then transferred to Michigan State University and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics in 1960, and Master of Arts Degree in Mathematics and Education in 1962.
Dr. Benn also had three advanced graduate degrees: Business and Educational Administration awarded in 1972 from Washington University in St. Louis; Master of Science in Computer Science awarded in 1982 from Southern Methodist University. At the age of 54, he left the field of computers and communications as a corporate executive to resume his pursuit of advanced software engineering topics and was awarded the first Doctor of Engineering degree in Computer Science from Southern Methodist University in 1990.
He had an influential career as a corporate executive in various organizations including Abbott Laboratories, Medical Computer Systems, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Western States Administrators. He was the senior government computer, telecommunications and systems executive for the State of Texas regulatory and enforcement agency for air quality, water and waste management. In 1990, Doug and Shirley founded their D. F. Benn & Associates Corporation based for 25 years in Texas.
In addition to designing the state, national and international information systems, he directed large Information Technological organizations as CIO, in the technical and administrative areas of medical and health care, health insurance, finance, and education.
Doug had an extensive career in education, teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels in computer science, software engineering, mathematics, and management for Gateway College, Washington University, southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas. In addition to his activities as a professor, graduate advisor, Department Chairman, and Academic Senator.
His interests in fostering leadership among young men and women included several years as a senior advisor for 1,100 young men attending Michigan Boys State or serving as District Director for 34 Boy Scout Troops and Explorer Posts. He was the University sponsor for several student associations, including the Association of Computer Machinery, Association for Data Processing Management, Sigma XI, Association for Systems Management, and the State Advisor of Wisconsin Business Education Clubs.
He has published 10 books and over 130 professional articles in the areas of software engineering, computer science, and management information systems. Dr. Benn has been listed since 1983 in various decanting publications including Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. In 1978, Dr. Benn was selected as a National Arbitrator and was an active member of the National Arbitration Association in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Texas. His hobbies included swimming, painting, model building, hunting, fishing, writing, gardening, and woodworking.
Doug was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather his entire life. He asks that you continue to Trust that the Lord will continue to love, guide, and bless all of you.
The visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
The Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, at 10:30 am followed by interment at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
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