Richard Irwin ‘Dick’ Benson, 84, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away at his home on March 27, 2018.
Dick was born on March 7, 1934 in Everett, the son of Irwin & Myrtle (Olsen) Benson. He was raised and attended school in Sedro-Woolley, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1952.
Dick served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1955. Following his discharge he returned to Sedro-Woolley and began a career as a purchasing agent with Skagit Steel.
In 1956 Dick was united in marriage to Joan Francis and they made their home briefly in Eugene, Oregon and Seattle before settling back in Sedro-Woolley where they made their home and raised their family.
Dick worked for many years with Skagit Steel before taking a position as a purchasing agent for the Snelson Company, retiring in 1997. In his leisure time he enjoyed camping, RVing, boating and fishing.
Dick is survived by his two sons and their wives, Kenny & Dolly Benson and Lonn & Tarie Benson all of Sedro-Woolley; two grandchildren, Heath Benson (Nicole) and Megan Benson; six great-grandchildren, Madison, Elijah and Hayley Benson, and Nicholas, Amiya and Kyler Bowen; his longtime and best friend, Rick Engholm and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Joan and daughter Susan Gummere.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday April 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sedro-Woolley, followed by a committal service with Military Honors at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Memorials in honor of Dick are suggested to Peace Health Cancer Center, 2000 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 or the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Dick and sign the online guest register.
Dick was loved and admired by many. He was able to light up a room with his humor and wit. He will truly be missed.
My name is Eric Strinden, I worked with Dick at Snelson Co, Inc. Dick was a great man that was full of laughter and knowledge. He took me under his wing and mentored me. He taught me to be a fair and morale Purchaser and follow best business practices. I hope I have made him proud. He was a great teacher and friend, I will miss you Mr. Benson. And I am sure he is up there telling most of his jokes, and once again Dick is with the love of his life, Joan. We will miss you.
I can still hear his infectious laugh in my head as clear as day. Dick was loved and admired by many. My family (the Roger Fox family) spent several weekends camping on “Benson’s bar”. Then later I got reacquainted with Dick at Snelson’s and visited on several Christmas Eve’s for a “quick one” before visiting family. Dick will always have a special place in my heart. I will miss him.
My name is Rick Engholm, Dick and I have been best friends for the last 50 years. We worked together in the purchasing department at Skagit Steel for almost 20 years. He always had a smile on his face and loved to make people laugh. He could brighten any room he was in and had that rare ability to put people at ease and after a few minutes you felt like you knew him all your life.
To his family know he was proud of you and loved you and take comfort that he is now with his beloved Joan looking down on you. This world was a better place because of Dick and I’m going to miss him more than I can say. He was more than just a friend, he was family.