Roger Sorrell Benson

Benson, Roger Sorrell SAN DIEGO – Roger Sorrell Benson was born December 30, 1935 in Los Angeles, California to Charles and Violet Benson and passed away peacefully in his home on February 19, 2016 of cancer. He is survived by his adoring wife Judy, three sons and 11 grandchildren. He left joyful knowing he would be joining his cherished daughter Pam who preceded him in death in 1995. Roger was an only child raised by a single mother from the age of two. Growing up with adversity imparted a zeal for survival and ambition that would drive him to a lifetime of leadership and success. An early work ethic and serving as John Marshall High School Student Body President was followed by acceptance to UCLA where he spent two years with the Air Force ROTC and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in 1957. He attributed his great joy in college to the support and camaraderie that came from the fellowship and leadership he enjoyed in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity. Roger was known on campus for his infectious smile, his outgoing demeanor and as a most loyal and enthusiastic UCLA yell leader. He remained a true UCLA Bruin fan throughout his lifetime. Paramount in realizing his dream of a good life was finding a loving wife with whom to build a family, a joy he was not able to experience in his own youth. He fondly recalled spotting Judy Milne at an Alpha Phi sorority party, claiming to have fallen instantly in love. They were married September 12, 1959 while Judy was still finishing up her nursing education at UCLA. Driven by a vision to create something of value, Roger poured himself into the home building industry and within a few short years he was well on his way with a family of four in parallel with a home building enterprise, “Benson Homes” of Walnut, California. With experience and regional recognition under his belt, he was soon offered a top executive position at American Housing Guild, requiring the young family to move to San Diego. In 1975, exasperated with the ever increasing interference of the government in the housing industry, Roger and a work colleague partnered to found Rescue Rooter, a 24/7 plumbing, sewer and drain cleaning service beginning with one truck, a Yellow Page ad and Roger soliciting customers door to door until business started to come in regularly. After a buyout of his original partner Roger grew the business to the largest privately owned sewer and drain cleaning /plumbing company in the country by building a team of talented and passionate innovators who developed sophisticated systems that revolutionized the industry and are considered the gold standard today. Starting life in humble conditions drove Roger to a life of hard work so he was grateful and dependent on his devoted wife and friends to provide perspective on living in the moment and honoring God for his role in the blessed life that became the Benson Family. After the sale of the business in 1998 Roger used his retirement to build his dream house, travel the world, mentor his sons, grandchildren and friends while actively engaging in and contributing to important community organizations like UCLA, USD, Scripps Mercy Hospital, Father Joe’s Villages, and All Hallows Church. Roger felt fortunate that his battle with cancer gave him the time and energy to gain closure with friends and family. He had a rich life and wanted his passing to be joyful, not somber. The words of C. S. Lewis seem to best capture his final thoughts: “Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” A funeral Mass will be held at All Hallows Church, 6602 La Jolla Scenic Drive South, La Jolla, CA. 92037 on Saturday, March 5th, 2016 at 10 am followed by a reception in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers memorial tributes may be made to Fr. Joe’s Villages to the “Pamela Benson Wade Endowment Fund” 3350 E Street, San Diego, CA 92102-3332