David Benson

He was a proud Yooper, born in Marquette MI, raised in the beauty of the land, on the shores of Lake Superior, surrounded by good friends, lots of family and the freedom to explore with his dog, King. He graduated from Pierce High School in 1961, where he contributed to their 1960-1961 Class D State Championship Basketball title with deadly long range shots. He continued on to graduate from Northern Michigan University with a degree in teaching, before moving downstate with his new wife and children to begin his career.

David is survived by his four children, Tim (Diane) Benson, Linda (Kurt) Brougham, Jill (Jeff) Ball, Todd Benson; and his grandchildren, Erika (Tim) Elliott, Justin (Heidi) Ball, Joel (Kassi) Benson, Jessica (Keenan) Zost, Travis (Ashley) Benson and Seth Benson.

He will also be missed by his great grandchildren, Kallystah, Christopher and Karley Kowalewski, Bowen Elliott, Maevery and Eloise Zost. David is also survived by his sister, Janice Barber, brother, Dan (Pat) Benson, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his best friend, Pam Benson, who has supported him through all of the changes he faced as his daily life became more challenging.

David was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ruth Benson; his brother-in-law, Wilfred Barber; and his decade’s long childhood friend, Ken Robertson, whom he continued to miss.

David taught woodworking and mechanical drawing at East Grand Rapids Middle Schools for 29 years. He loved working with kids, inside and out of the classroom, and had a natural born teaching instinct. He also had an artistic side and spent most of retirement creating unique wooden boxes and instruments, ukuleles (or Yoop Trol Ukes, as he termed them) in particular. There was no open space that couldn’t be improved with a deck or a flower box.

David had zero tolerance for bullies or casual cruelty, even to the end, and would always step in to intervene. He was a gentle soul, with a deep voice and a powerful physique, who loved animals and watching his kids and grand-kids play sports or follow his instructions in drawing or creating things. Any family gathering would eventually result in competition for dollar bills – shooting baskets, darts, holding breaths under water, or even who could last longest with a red pepper flake on the tongue before grabbing a drink.

“Our Dad loved Nature, animals, family, friends and being outside.

Hikes in the woods, hunting for rocks in the Cove, and pontoon rides.

We have memories of his raised eyebrow looks

And those creative bedtime stories – who needs books?

We had the best dollhouse and tree houses kids could imagine.

His wood working skills were a favorite passion

All of our homes are WELL stocked with his hand made treasures,

Which include Michigan-shaped ukuleles (with the UP, of course) -more than can be measured.

These last few weeks have included many heart-wrenching goodbyes.

But we can look in the mirror and see his kind eyes.”

In lieu of flowers, David and his family would ask anyone reading this to observe the world around you. If you see someone struggling, stranger or not, reach out with a smile, a hand, or any gesture big or small, to let them know that they are seen and someone cares. It was a mantra he lived by, and it made his day when he could see defeat in someone’s eyes turn for a moment to hope.

No formal funeral service will be held at this time, but a Celebration of Life (TBD), held in the UP with pasties and ice cream, will take place this summer.