Lt. Col. Robert Charles Benson, U. S. Army, Retired

As the oldest son in the family, he became an early member of the Civilian Conservation Corps where he developed a lifelong appreciation for natural resources and where he learned basic construction and maintenance skills that stayed with him for the rest of his life. His service with the C.C.C. also provided additional income for his family during the Depression. He was always very proud of his service with the C.C.C.

World War II took him far from home and provided him with the stepping stones that led to a 20 year U.S. Army career involving a myriad of positions in areas of administration, quartermaster and logistics in Europe and Asia as well as in the continental United States.

Settling in San Antonio in the early 1960’s provided him the opportunity to access new avenues of interest. After a few years of rising through the ranks at Santa Rosa Medical Center, he became senior assistant administrator. In early 1972, he was selected by American Medicorp, Inc. to be the first administrator for the nascent San Antonio Community Hospital (now the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital). In 1975 Mr. Benson became the Director of Hospital Services for Medicorp Management, Inc., a position that he held until 1977. From 1977 until his second retirement in 1981, he worked for Mr. Ross Perot as an EDS administrator for the Title XIX Social Security programs for the State of Texas.

In his leisure time, Mr. Benson was a strong supporter of the National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni, the Boy Scouts of America as a proud Eagle Scout and the Retired Officers’ Association. He also involved himself in a number of Catholic charity enterprises. The family spent many leisure days at their home on Lake LBJ through the 1970’s. Post-retirement life provided many opportunities for family, golf, some travel and general puttering.

He leaves behind his cherished wife of 72 years, Iolaine; three daughters, Roberta Shaw (Clyde Jr., dec’d), Debbie Martinez (Nick) and Cindy Wiener (Jim); one son, Tom (Ann); and grandchildren, Terry Hughes (Adam), Diane Gonzales (David), Michael Shaw (Jamie), Rob Benson, Amy Benson, Nicole Martinez, Christopher Martinez (Kelly) Christopher Wiener (Natalie), Tim Wiener (Leticia) and Christina Wiener (fiancé Andrew Markham).

He also leaves precious great-grandchildren, Samantha, Rebecca, Allison, Brian, Sean, Alexandria and Christina along with a plethora of nieces and nephews.

The last of his siblings, his treasured baby sister, Shirlee Benson Gau Halpern, lives in Mission Viejo, California.

A service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2017 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3907 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209. Burial will follow with military honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, and a reception will be held at the St. Pius X Family Center afterward.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his beloved St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Please sign the guestbook at www. colonialuniversal.com