George L. Benson ’55 died on March 21, 2015.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Redlands in 1955 and was a member of the Pi Chi fraternity. At Redlands, he met his wife, Mary Shouse Benson ’55. He went on to earn a master’s degree from San Diego State University and doctorate from the University of Oregon. He was retired from the U.S. Navy and began his educational career as a teacher, coach and high school principal in the Grossmont Union High School District in the San Diego area. He then served as superintendent of Centennial School District in Gresham, Ore., for 18 years.
He served the University as a member of the Alumni Association Board as well as on his reunion committee. He and Mary supported the University as donors to the Redlands Fund, the Bulldog Bench and the Memorial Chapel Fund. He went on to serve his local community through his involvement and volunteerism with many groups in Lake Oswego, Ore., including the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce and Rotary. He served as chairman of the board for the organization Elders in Action and was deeply involved with his church community.
His family also includes children, David, George and Stephen Benson; daughters, Nancy Comstock, Sandra Johnson and Virginia Smith; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
