Louis Edward Benson II
Louis Edward Benson II, 59, formerly of Cape Coral, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2009. He was born Oct. 16, 1949, in Glen Falls, N.Y., to parents Rita and “Benny,” now deceased.
He consciously and peacefully transitioned into the light, surrounded by family and friends, after courageously coping with liver cancer since the latter part of last year.
He was in-ducted into the Army in May 1969. After serving in Viet Nam in the Fourth Infantry Division as a tank and heavy equipment retriever, he was honorably discharged in May 1971. He lived in Cape Coral from 1961-74.
He was involved with the Tucson Veteran’s for Peace organization and was a proud member of the VFW Catalina Post 4903.
He cherished the Sonoran Desert, and he sensitively built custom homes in order to preserve as much of it as possible.
In April 1992, Lou Benson Construction coordinated and put on the first ever straw bale house demonstration for the Southern Arizona Home Builder’s Association’s 20th Anniversary Home Show. In March 1995, it organized the Alternative Building Materials Home Show. Both were at the request of Alan Lurie, then executive director of SAHBA.
He was a respected member and contributor to the Tortolita Homeowner’s Association, the Northwest Coalition for Responsible Development, the Oro Valley 2020 Plan, the founding of the Town of Tortolita, the recall and reform of the Amphitheater School Board, Pima County’s Northwest Comprehensive Plan Update and the years’ long community stakeholder’s process of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
He was a patriotic and informed community activist who believed everyone could, and should, make a difference. He was proud to have been elected marshal of the town of Tortolita, the only town in Arizona to have been incorporated by an overwhelming number of signatures, the majority of which he collected. He loved Tortolita.
A warrior to the end, he was actively supporting public access to the Tortolita Mountain Park during his illness.
A gentle man, famous for his smile, he was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle and friend.
He loved his family, friends, town and country. All who love him wish to express their gratitude to all who touched his life in a positive way. As he would always say, “Peace.”
He will be missed by his sister, Barbara (Bill) Staigar; brothers, Richard and Lee Benson; wife, Robyn; daughter, Nicole (Jeff) Corwon; son, Jonas (Misty); grandchildren, Glenn, Sajen, Jade, Sophie, Oliver, Everett Leo and Angela; sister-in-law, Jodi Maher; brother-in-law, Bruce Helman (Nely); nieces and nephews; extended family; friends; and his beloved Tortolita community.
He was predeceased by his parents; and brother, Carl “Butchie” (Elsie) Stoltz.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday at the Tucson Audubon Society’s Mason Center. A potluck dinner will begin at 6 p.m. A memorial ceremony will commence at 7:25 p.m. with military honors, followed by a blessing and slide show interspersed with storytelling and ending with a musical jam session and dancing under the stars.
Memorial remembrances can be made to the Tucson Audubon Society’s Mason Center, c/o Paul Green, Executive Director, 300 E. University Blvd., Suite 120, AZ 85705. Donations are also welcome to help his wife defray his medical expenses.
For information and to RSVP, e-mail Aspen at agreen61@cox.net.
Vistoso Memorial Chapel (www.vistosomemorialchapel) is in charge of arrangements.