Robert Benham

Robert N. Benham passed away on November 21, 2020 at his home in Alva, Florida, with his beloved wife, Nancy by his side. Bob was born on December 11, 1937 to Bert and Elsie (Reynolds) Benham in Hastings, Michigan. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1955. On July 11, 1959, he married Nancy L. (Williams) Benham. Bob worked at Hastings Manufacturing; Rich Manufacturing in Battle Creek, Michigan; and a swimming pool company in Akron, Ohio. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1961 at Fort Knox, Kentucky and then spent two years in Kalserslutern, Germany where he drove for a Colonel then was the Squadron Mail Clerk. He and Nancy traveled to ten European countries. They returned to the States in September 1963, settling in Battle Creek, Michigan where he worked for a time at Ralston Purina. Bob became a salesman at Consumers Power Company and was later selected as a Customer Account Representative, retiring in 1991. Bob obtained his realtor license and became a salesman for Bruce Hughes Realty for two years. Bob had many hobbies over the years especially anything with an engine from drag racing, stock car racing, boating, water skiing and snowmobiling. He liked to hunt, fish, shoot clay pigeons and restore antique and classic cars. In 2013 he restored a 1964 Correct Craft Boat only to sell it in 2015. For ten years he used a week of his vacation every summer to volunteer on the official measuring team for the Hot Air Balloon Championships in Battle Creek. Nancy was always by his side ready to participate in all of these activities. When Nancy developed kidney failure, they were trained for home hemodialysis at the University of Michigan. Bob was her home dialysis technician, which they performed three times a week after returning home from work. They would load the kidney machine and supplies in their GMC motorhome to travel to Florida, California, West Point and with the Great Lakers GMC Motorhome Club. In 1994 Bob and Nancy began to spend winters in Oak Park Village, Alva Florida and again got a motorhome to travel in. They moved to Alva full time in 2014. Bob was very involved with various activities in Oak Park. He headed up the golf league for a few years and for 15 years he worked on the boat club cookouts, boat trips, etc. He was the originator of the steak fry, which continues today. Bob was an idea man and people would seek his opinions on how to do something different or better. A favorite saying of his was “take everybody’s advice and do as you please.” Bob is preceded in death by his parents Bert And Elsie (Reynolds) Benham and his brother Paul Benham. He is survived by his wife Nancy L. (Williams) Benham, several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great great-nieces and nephews. A Memorial Services for family will be held in Michigan at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Alva Fire Department, Hope Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the care of Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services Inc. located at 2701 Lee Blvd, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971. 239-368-7080 www.gendronfuneralhome.com

Robert Benham

December 11, 1937 - November 21, 2020