Roger Floyd Benson

Roger F. Benson was born in Rockford, IL, to Floyd and Viona Benson at the height of the depression. He attended local grade schools and graduated from East High School. After graduation he joined the Air Force where he served during the Korean Conflict in Great Falls, MT, and Honolulu, HI.

After the service he worked for Sundstrand Corporation, rising from working in the test lab to finally becoming a Sr. Associate Mechanical Engineer by the time he retired 38 years later. During that time he was awarded a patent for an airplane part.

He was first married to Wilma Jean, who died of liver cancer after 10 years. In the meantime, his brother and sister-in-law died, so they adopted their son, Mark, at age 3 years and a baby girl he had to give back to the adoption agency. After five years he married Jeanette and became the stepfather of Brian and Vicki. Roger and Jeannette were married 50 years.

Roger LOVED airplanes. He especially loved sail planes which he designed, built, and won several contests locally.

Roger also loved the Lord, becoming an Episcopalian. He was very active in church both in Illinois and in Grand Junction, serving on the board and as a Jr. and Sr. warden in the two churches.

He also had a heart for the homeless, serving as a volunteer for the Homeless Shelter and finally as Board Chair.

He was transferred to Grand Junction in 1990, where he lived for 30 years. He loved to travel with his wife. They visited several other countries in addition to camping in their RV for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannette; three children, Mark, Vicki, and Brian; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at a later date when the Coronavirus weakens.