I had the pleasure of working closely with Ted for 4 years in the late 70’s. He was highly respected and the best project leader I ever had, tough but always fair.  I considered Ted my best friend back then, and we kept in touch over the many years, even though geographically distant.
I will always remember and treasure that last visit with Ted and Margo a few weeks before his passing. Though physically frail, Ted was still as mentally sharp, witty, and entertaining as ever. We reminisced and laughed, mainly about funny and good times we had back in the good old days. 
Ted was an all around great guy who I miss dearly and will remember always. Rest in peace, my friend.


Dear Margo,Ginger ,John and Family,

Thank you for thinking of us. We are so sorry we will not be able to attend the Celebration of Ted’s life. We will be thinking of him and you all.

We have many wonderful memories of Ted. We were neighbors and good friends from 1987-1993.  Ted was kind and funny and humble. We all loved his dry sense of humor.  Every year our whole family looked forward to reading his Christmas letter!!! 

He was the ultimate Family Man! He was a great husband and awesome Dad. 

Love,
Jenny and Terry Abels

He was my grandfather and taught me a lot and that makes me happy because without him I would still be on training wheels thank you Grandpa

Michael

Ted and Margo were awesome friends and next door neighbors. Will always remember the fun times we had with you both. They were godparents to our older son. 

Ted was always our responsible adult, even when we were kids, and he kept us out of trouble on many occasions.  He was a gifted musician and a math brain.   It was wonderful of Ted and Margo to come to the 50th class reunion.  Everyone was sincerely thrilled to be together one last time.  I think we sent Miami of Ohio one of the brightest guys ever to walk the streets of Tipp City.  It is so sad to lose Ted but we'll never forget him.

Ted was a mentor of sorts for me as I worked with him as a vendor,  and we became good friends. We worked hard, but still laughed a lot. As I was always from out of town, one of his favorite "jokes" was to graciously invite me home to dinner where it was a surprise to Margo. After he retired, we met in downtown Pittsburgh, and I'd brought a bottle of Opus One to share. Ted loved wine and was excited, but not too excited to realize the opportunity. He asked the waiter to snap a picture of the three of us, and he immediately texted it out. I asked, who'd you send that to? He said, I wrote everyone I know who likes wine and said, "this is the first of many tonight. too bad you're not here!" I've admired Ted (not telling him that) and I'll miss him, his wit and his joy of life. 

Ted was a great guy to be around and will be sorely missed.  We roomed together the summer of ‘73 at the former RedSkin Reservation apartments and shared many good times in addition to being Theta Chi brothers.  Deepest sympathies to Margo and family.
Alex Warner

Ted was one of my fraternity brothers at Miami University and was, as I recall, universally liked for his kindness, humor,  and encouraging spirit.  As a leader of a bunch of rowdy young men, he was able to garner respect and sincere affection.  

When I first joined, it was a time of personal family problems and drama.  Ted was the guy I trusted with those issues.  He was the first person I ever remember saying to me: "now you have brothers.  We have  your back."

He also had the best mustache on campus!  Blessings, my brother.  Rest in peace.


"Ted" was an excellent 1972 president of Theta Chi, having to put up with the likes of Zorkle and Foglia and Smith and a cast of characters reminiscent of National Lampoon's  Animal House. He was an anchored port in a stormy sea of adolescent nonsense.
So sorry he could not have spent more time here with us on earth.


OBITUARY

John Theodore Benham

November 1, 1950 – January 13, 2020

H.P. Brandt Funeral Home

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