Harold Benson
1918-Dec. 29, 2006
Menlo Park, California

Harold Benson, who first moved to Menlo Park with his family in 1953, died Dec. 29 at the age of 88.

Mr. Benson was born in Crockett and grew up in the Sacramento area. He graduated from UC Berkeley in the class of 1940, majoring in business education. In college he played the French horn with the university symphony orchestra and worked on the Daily Cal publication. He met his future wife, Barbara, at the San Francisco Opera House, and they were married in 1942. He worked as an agent with New York Life Insurance in San Francisco.

After the family moved to Menlo Park, he became a fire and casualty agent, owning his own business. He retired in 1986. He served as president of Bayshore Rotary in 1967-68.

One of his primary interests was woodworking, say family members. He created many decorative objects for his home and built furniture for both St. Bede's and Holy Trinity Episcopal churches in Menlo Park. He was also interested in the arts, attending the ballet and opera and visiting art museums. He and his wife traveled to Europe, Central America and Hong Kong.

In addition to Barbara, his wife of 64 years, Mr. Benson is survived by daughters Janet of Menlo Park and Joanne Benson Malone, who resides in the Seattle area.

Tags: business