Roger "Skip" Benda

Roger “Skip” Benda, 80, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2014. He was born August 23, 1933, to Vernon and Marjorie Benda in Cambria, Iowa.

Skip had lived in 16 different houses within the state of Iowa by the age of 12. He graduated from Cambria High School in May of 1951. After he graduated from High School, Skip worked in the wheat harvest, and then he joined the U.S.A.F. in July of 1951. During his Air Force career he spent time in Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, California, Illinois, Goose Bay Labrador, and Okinawa. Skip was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1955, and he then went to work for Armstrong Rubber.

Skip married Virginia Perkins on February 14, 1957, and of this union two daughters were born, Diana and Tracey. Skip attended American T.E.C. Radio TV School and became an instructor. The two of them later moved to southern Iowa where they planned to farm, and he would work on radios and TV’s from 1959 to 1965.

Skip and Virginia moved back to Des Moines where he worked for Meyer Electric, and Mid State Distributing Company. In 1969 Skip became a U.S. Postal employee, and worked his way up from a letter carrier to a maintenance supervisor. He later retired on October 1, 1992. He was a member of The American Legion and Masonic Lodge in Humeston, Iowa.

Skip loved being a grandpa. He spent countless hours in his garage teaching Nic how to work with tools. He also enjoyed taking naps in his recliner, and Whitnie would join and take her naps on grandpa’s lap.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Virginia “Granny” Benda; daughters, Diana Benda, and Tracy (Bill) Hutchinson; grandchildren, Nic (Brett), and Whitnie; brother, Vernon “Cork” Benda; sister, Patty Adams; as well as several nieces and nephews; and dear friend, Kathy Glenn.

Skip was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dean, Gary, and Danny; sister-in-law, Jo Ann; niece, Leslie; and brother-in-law, Glen.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 5, 2014 at Rising Sun Church of Christ, 6390 NE Rising Sun Drive in Pleasant Hill. Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, also at the church, followed by burial at Oakwood Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Hill Firefighters Association in loving memory of Roger.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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