1.) Robert Jenkin Benson died at 98 years of age on September 4, 2012, in Newton, Iowa surrounded by his son Bob, and his daughter Julie.
Roy Benson was born October 17, 1913, in Neath, South Wales, United Kingdom to Albert Edward Benson and Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" Downey. In 1923, Albert Benson emigrated from Wales to the United States, settling in Philadelphia. Once established, through employment and making a strong tie with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), he sent for his family, which included Roy, to join him in 1925.
As a youth in Philadelphia, Roy proved himself to be a young man with many talents. At age 15 he was honored as the "Boy of the Year" in the city of Philadelphia for his accomplishments as a pianist/organist, a pugilist, and all the while working at a grocery store on the weekends to add to the family coffer during the depression years. A disciplined musician, Roy's perseverance and devotion to the piano and organ allowed him to perfect his crafts and he became an accomplished player on both instruments.
Roy attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa from 1936-1938 and completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa. He would obtain a Master of Music degree from Drake in 1947. Roy spent 13 summers studying at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, working toward his doctorate. He received his PhD. in Music Education from Roosevelt University's Chicago Musical College in 1955.
Roy was united in marriage to Mable Marcella Wilkinson on June 7, 1940 in Lamoni, Iowa. The ceremony was performed by Verne Deskin in the home of Roscoe and Grace Faunce. They were married for 65 years, until her death in 2005. This union produced five children: Carolyn Elizabeth, David James, Robert Allen, Gregory John, and Julie Jane.
Roy spent his life as an educator. His first teaching position was at Otho, a small town in northwest Iowa. He started in 1939, became Principal in 1941, and served as Superintendent from 1942-1944. Roy left Otho to teach Music at Graceland College in 1944 and remained at the college until his retirement in 1979.
He served his college and the Lamoni community well. Among his many contributions were: heading Graceland's music department, staging concerts with the college orchestra, serving on the Lamoni School board for fourteen years, teaching private piano lessons to students from Lamoni, Leon, and Mt. Ayr, playing the organ for countless church services in the Lamoni RLDS church, giving many sermons for the church, teaching various levels of Sunday school classes, and being instrumental in the development of the Lamoni Golf Course, just to name a few.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents Albert & Jennie; his sisters, Mervine and Beryl; his brothers, Albert (in infancy), Stanley, and Frank; wife Mable; his son David; his grandsons A.J. and Jason, and his son-in-law Norman Dietz.
He is survived by his children, Carolyn Dietz, Bob and Heidi (Soliday) Benson, Greg and Grace (Cool) Benson, Julie and Stan Rupe, and daughter-in-law Diane Benson. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, brother John Benson, two nieces, and two nephews.
Roy lived a long life rich in family, music, travel, and golf, his other passion. He could have spent his life touring as a concert pianist, but he chose to remain close to his family and the church which had welcomed his family so warmly back in 1925. His contributions of knowledge, time, and devotion are well-known and appreciated by anyone who crossed his many paths through the town of Lamoni and the grounds and halls of Graceland College.
SOURCE: The Lamoni Chronicle, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa. July 17, 2013
2.) BIOGRAPHY of DR. ROBERT JENKIN "ROY" BENSON
Graceland University, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa
Dr. Robert Jenkin "Roy" Benson was born on October 17, 1913 in Neath, South Wales, Great Britain [the son of Albert Edward and Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" (Downey) Benson]. Roy Benson moved to the United States [with his family] in 1926 and became a Golden Gloves boxing champion during high school.
After graduating from Graceland in 1937, Dr. Benson continued his education at Drake University [in Des Moines, Iowa], receiving his bachelor's degree in 1939. He then served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent at Otho (Iowa) Public Schools for five years before joining the Graceland music faculty in 1944. After sports were discontinued during World War II, Dr. Benson helped revive intercollegiate athletic competition at Graceland in the first post-war year, 1956-46.
He completed his master's degree at Drake in 1947 and obtained his doctorate degree in music education in 1955 from Chicago Musical College.
During his 35 years at the college, Dr. Benson regularly taught keyboard lessons in organ and piano, instructed classes in music theory and history, and coached the golf team. [Graceland's golf team won the Junior College Interstate Conference Meet in 1956, and represented the Sixth District in the N.A.I.A. nationals in 1960.]
Dr. Benson retired as professor emeritus in 1979 and eventually moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas. [Dr. Benson returned to Lamoni and resided at Crown Colony where he regularly entertained the residents with his performances at the piano. He eventually moved to Newton, Iowa.]
Source: http://iagenweb.org/decatur/bioDocs
/bio_B/bio_bensondrrobertjenkinroy.htm
MOTHER: Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" Downey
FATHER: Albert Edward Benson
WIFE: Mable Marcella Wilkinson
m. 7 Jun 1940 - Lamoni, Decatur, Iowa
Roy Benson was born October 17, 1913, in Neath, South Wales, United Kingdom to Albert Edward Benson and Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" Downey. In 1923, Albert Benson emigrated from Wales to the United States, settling in Philadelphia. Once established, through employment and making a strong tie with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), he sent for his family, which included Roy, to join him in 1925.
As a youth in Philadelphia, Roy proved himself to be a young man with many talents. At age 15 he was honored as the "Boy of the Year" in the city of Philadelphia for his accomplishments as a pianist/organist, a pugilist, and all the while working at a grocery store on the weekends to add to the family coffer during the depression years. A disciplined musician, Roy's perseverance and devotion to the piano and organ allowed him to perfect his crafts and he became an accomplished player on both instruments.
Roy attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa from 1936-1938 and completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa. He would obtain a Master of Music degree from Drake in 1947. Roy spent 13 summers studying at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, working toward his doctorate. He received his PhD. in Music Education from Roosevelt University's Chicago Musical College in 1955.
Roy was united in marriage to Mable Marcella Wilkinson on June 7, 1940 in Lamoni, Iowa. The ceremony was performed by Verne Deskin in the home of Roscoe and Grace Faunce. They were married for 65 years, until her death in 2005. This union produced five children: Carolyn Elizabeth, David James, Robert Allen, Gregory John, and Julie Jane.
Roy spent his life as an educator. His first teaching position was at Otho, a small town in northwest Iowa. He started in 1939, became Principal in 1941, and served as Superintendent from 1942-1944. Roy left Otho to teach Music at Graceland College in 1944 and remained at the college until his retirement in 1979.
He served his college and the Lamoni community well. Among his many contributions were: heading Graceland's music department, staging concerts with the college orchestra, serving on the Lamoni School board for fourteen years, teaching private piano lessons to students from Lamoni, Leon, and Mt. Ayr, playing the organ for countless church services in the Lamoni RLDS church, giving many sermons for the church, teaching various levels of Sunday school classes, and being instrumental in the development of the Lamoni Golf Course, just to name a few.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents Albert & Jennie; his sisters, Mervine and Beryl; his brothers, Albert (in infancy), Stanley, and Frank; wife Mable; his son David; his grandsons A.J. and Jason, and his son-in-law Norman Dietz.
He is survived by his children, Carolyn Dietz, Bob and Heidi (Soliday) Benson, Greg and Grace (Cool) Benson, Julie and Stan Rupe, and daughter-in-law Diane Benson. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, brother John Benson, two nieces, and two nephews.
Roy lived a long life rich in family, music, travel, and golf, his other passion. He could have spent his life touring as a concert pianist, but he chose to remain close to his family and the church which had welcomed his family so warmly back in 1925. His contributions of knowledge, time, and devotion are well-known and appreciated by anyone who crossed his many paths through the town of Lamoni and the grounds and halls of Graceland College.
SOURCE: The Lamoni Chronicle, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa. July 17, 2013
2.) BIOGRAPHY of DR. ROBERT JENKIN "ROY" BENSON
Graceland University, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa
Dr. Robert Jenkin "Roy" Benson was born on October 17, 1913 in Neath, South Wales, Great Britain [the son of Albert Edward and Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" (Downey) Benson]. Roy Benson moved to the United States [with his family] in 1926 and became a Golden Gloves boxing champion during high school.
After graduating from Graceland in 1937, Dr. Benson continued his education at Drake University [in Des Moines, Iowa], receiving his bachelor's degree in 1939. He then served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent at Otho (Iowa) Public Schools for five years before joining the Graceland music faculty in 1944. After sports were discontinued during World War II, Dr. Benson helped revive intercollegiate athletic competition at Graceland in the first post-war year, 1956-46.
He completed his master's degree at Drake in 1947 and obtained his doctorate degree in music education in 1955 from Chicago Musical College.
During his 35 years at the college, Dr. Benson regularly taught keyboard lessons in organ and piano, instructed classes in music theory and history, and coached the golf team. [Graceland's golf team won the Junior College Interstate Conference Meet in 1956, and represented the Sixth District in the N.A.I.A. nationals in 1960.]
Dr. Benson retired as professor emeritus in 1979 and eventually moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas. [Dr. Benson returned to Lamoni and resided at Crown Colony where he regularly entertained the residents with his performances at the piano. He eventually moved to Newton, Iowa.]
Source: http://iagenweb.org/decatur/bioDocs
/bio_B/bio_bensondrrobertjenkinroy.htm
MOTHER: Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" Downey
FATHER: Albert Edward Benson
WIFE: Mable Marcella Wilkinson
m. 7 Jun 1940 - Lamoni, Decatur, Iowa
1.) Robert Jenkin Benson died at 98 years of age on September 4, 2012, in Newton, Iowa surrounded by his son Bob, and his daughter Julie.
Roy Benson was born October 17, 1913, in Neath, South Wales, United Kingdom to Albert Edward Benson and Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" Downey. In 1923, Albert Benson emigrated from Wales to the United States, settling in Philadelphia. Once established, through employment and making a strong tie with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), he sent for his family, which included Roy, to join him in 1925.
As a youth in Philadelphia, Roy proved himself to be a young man with many talents. At age 15 he was honored as the "Boy of the Year" in the city of Philadelphia for his accomplishments as a pianist/organist, a pugilist, and all the while working at a grocery store on the weekends to add to the family coffer during the depression years. A disciplined musician, Roy's perseverance and devotion to the piano and organ allowed him to perfect his crafts and he became an accomplished player on both instruments.
Roy attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa from 1936-1938 and completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa. He would obtain a Master of Music degree from Drake in 1947. Roy spent 13 summers studying at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, working toward his doctorate. He received his PhD. in Music Education from Roosevelt University's Chicago Musical College in 1955.
Roy was united in marriage to Mable Marcella Wilkinson on June 7, 1940 in Lamoni, Iowa. The ceremony was performed by Verne Deskin in the home of Roscoe and Grace Faunce. They were married for 65 years, until her death in 2005. This union produced five children: Carolyn Elizabeth, David James, Robert Allen, Gregory John, and Julie Jane.
Roy spent his life as an educator. His first teaching position was at Otho, a small town in northwest Iowa. He started in 1939, became Principal in 1941, and served as Superintendent from 1942-1944. Roy left Otho to teach Music at Graceland College in 1944 and remained at the college until his retirement in 1979.
He served his college and the Lamoni community well. Among his many contributions were: heading Graceland's music department, staging concerts with the college orchestra, serving on the Lamoni School board for fourteen years, teaching private piano lessons to students from Lamoni, Leon, and Mt. Ayr, playing the organ for countless church services in the Lamoni RLDS church, giving many sermons for the church, teaching various levels of Sunday school classes, and being instrumental in the development of the Lamoni Golf Course, just to name a few.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents Albert & Jennie; his sisters, Mervine and Beryl; his brothers, Albert (in infancy), Stanley, and Frank; wife Mable; his son David; his grandsons A.J. and Jason, and his son-in-law Norman Dietz.
He is survived by his children, Carolyn Dietz, Bob and Heidi (Soliday) Benson, Greg and Grace (Cool) Benson, Julie and Stan Rupe, and daughter-in-law Diane Benson. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, brother John Benson, two nieces, and two nephews.
Roy lived a long life rich in family, music, travel, and golf, his other passion. He could have spent his life touring as a concert pianist, but he chose to remain close to his family and the church which had welcomed his family so warmly back in 1925. His contributions of knowledge, time, and devotion are well-known and appreciated by anyone who crossed his many paths through the town of Lamoni and the grounds and halls of Graceland College.
SOURCE: The Lamoni Chronicle, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa. July 17, 2013
2.) BIOGRAPHY of DR. ROBERT JENKIN "ROY" BENSON
Graceland University, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa
Dr. Robert Jenkin "Roy" Benson was born on October 17, 1913 in Neath, South Wales, Great Britain [the son of Albert Edward and Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" (Downey) Benson]. Roy Benson moved to the United States [with his family] in 1926 and became a Golden Gloves boxing champion during high school.
After graduating from Graceland in 1937, Dr. Benson continued his education at Drake University [in Des Moines, Iowa], receiving his bachelor's degree in 1939. He then served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent at Otho (Iowa) Public Schools for five years before joining the Graceland music faculty in 1944. After sports were discontinued during World War II, Dr. Benson helped revive intercollegiate athletic competition at Graceland in the first post-war year, 1956-46.
He completed his master's degree at Drake in 1947 and obtained his doctorate degree in music education in 1955 from Chicago Musical College.
During his 35 years at the college, Dr. Benson regularly taught keyboard lessons in organ and piano, instructed classes in music theory and history, and coached the golf team. [Graceland's golf team won the Junior College Interstate Conference Meet in 1956, and represented the Sixth District in the N.A.I.A. nationals in 1960.]
Dr. Benson retired as professor emeritus in 1979 and eventually moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas. [Dr. Benson returned to Lamoni and resided at Crown Colony where he regularly entertained the residents with his performances at the piano. He eventually moved to Newton, Iowa.]
Source: http://iagenweb.org/decatur/bioDocs
/bio_B/bio_bensondrrobertjenkinroy.htm
MOTHER: Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" Downey
FATHER: Albert Edward Benson
WIFE: Mable Marcella Wilkinson
m. 7 Jun 1940 - Lamoni, Decatur, Iowa
Roy Benson was born October 17, 1913, in Neath, South Wales, United Kingdom to Albert Edward Benson and Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" Downey. In 1923, Albert Benson emigrated from Wales to the United States, settling in Philadelphia. Once established, through employment and making a strong tie with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), he sent for his family, which included Roy, to join him in 1925.
As a youth in Philadelphia, Roy proved himself to be a young man with many talents. At age 15 he was honored as the "Boy of the Year" in the city of Philadelphia for his accomplishments as a pianist/organist, a pugilist, and all the while working at a grocery store on the weekends to add to the family coffer during the depression years. A disciplined musician, Roy's perseverance and devotion to the piano and organ allowed him to perfect his crafts and he became an accomplished player on both instruments.
Roy attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa from 1936-1938 and completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa. He would obtain a Master of Music degree from Drake in 1947. Roy spent 13 summers studying at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, working toward his doctorate. He received his PhD. in Music Education from Roosevelt University's Chicago Musical College in 1955.
Roy was united in marriage to Mable Marcella Wilkinson on June 7, 1940 in Lamoni, Iowa. The ceremony was performed by Verne Deskin in the home of Roscoe and Grace Faunce. They were married for 65 years, until her death in 2005. This union produced five children: Carolyn Elizabeth, David James, Robert Allen, Gregory John, and Julie Jane.
Roy spent his life as an educator. His first teaching position was at Otho, a small town in northwest Iowa. He started in 1939, became Principal in 1941, and served as Superintendent from 1942-1944. Roy left Otho to teach Music at Graceland College in 1944 and remained at the college until his retirement in 1979.
He served his college and the Lamoni community well. Among his many contributions were: heading Graceland's music department, staging concerts with the college orchestra, serving on the Lamoni School board for fourteen years, teaching private piano lessons to students from Lamoni, Leon, and Mt. Ayr, playing the organ for countless church services in the Lamoni RLDS church, giving many sermons for the church, teaching various levels of Sunday school classes, and being instrumental in the development of the Lamoni Golf Course, just to name a few.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents Albert & Jennie; his sisters, Mervine and Beryl; his brothers, Albert (in infancy), Stanley, and Frank; wife Mable; his son David; his grandsons A.J. and Jason, and his son-in-law Norman Dietz.
He is survived by his children, Carolyn Dietz, Bob and Heidi (Soliday) Benson, Greg and Grace (Cool) Benson, Julie and Stan Rupe, and daughter-in-law Diane Benson. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, brother John Benson, two nieces, and two nephews.
Roy lived a long life rich in family, music, travel, and golf, his other passion. He could have spent his life touring as a concert pianist, but he chose to remain close to his family and the church which had welcomed his family so warmly back in 1925. His contributions of knowledge, time, and devotion are well-known and appreciated by anyone who crossed his many paths through the town of Lamoni and the grounds and halls of Graceland College.
SOURCE: The Lamoni Chronicle, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa. July 17, 2013
2.) BIOGRAPHY of DR. ROBERT JENKIN "ROY" BENSON
Graceland University, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa
Dr. Robert Jenkin "Roy" Benson was born on October 17, 1913 in Neath, South Wales, Great Britain [the son of Albert Edward and Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" (Downey) Benson]. Roy Benson moved to the United States [with his family] in 1926 and became a Golden Gloves boxing champion during high school.
After graduating from Graceland in 1937, Dr. Benson continued his education at Drake University [in Des Moines, Iowa], receiving his bachelor's degree in 1939. He then served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent at Otho (Iowa) Public Schools for five years before joining the Graceland music faculty in 1944. After sports were discontinued during World War II, Dr. Benson helped revive intercollegiate athletic competition at Graceland in the first post-war year, 1956-46.
He completed his master's degree at Drake in 1947 and obtained his doctorate degree in music education in 1955 from Chicago Musical College.
During his 35 years at the college, Dr. Benson regularly taught keyboard lessons in organ and piano, instructed classes in music theory and history, and coached the golf team. [Graceland's golf team won the Junior College Interstate Conference Meet in 1956, and represented the Sixth District in the N.A.I.A. nationals in 1960.]
Dr. Benson retired as professor emeritus in 1979 and eventually moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas. [Dr. Benson returned to Lamoni and resided at Crown Colony where he regularly entertained the residents with his performances at the piano. He eventually moved to Newton, Iowa.]
Source: http://iagenweb.org/decatur/bioDocs
/bio_B/bio_bensondrrobertjenkinroy.htm
MOTHER: Elizabeth Jane "Jennie" Downey
FATHER: Albert Edward Benson
WIFE: Mable Marcella Wilkinson
m. 7 Jun 1940 - Lamoni, Decatur, Iowa
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