Robert "Bob" Benson

Robert Allen “Bob” Benson passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 in Sebring, Florida.  He was 88 years old. Bob was born on August 7, 1935 in Brockway, PA.  He was the son of Helen (Clayton W.) Briggs and Henning Benson. In 1957, Bob married Sandra Ritchey.  Together they raised two children:  daughter Debra Shannon, nee Benson and son Robert (Janet) Benson.  As a family, they spent many happy summers camping and traveling.  Sandra passed away just two weeks before what would have been their 33rd wedding anniversary. A few years later, Bob’s life changed beautifully when he married Judith (McCabe) Rakvin.  His family grew to include Judy’s six children:  Alan (Sheri) Rakvin, Laura (Jeff, deceased) Almony, Jeff (Lori) Rakvin, Lisa (Jean-Paul) Romes, Chad (Jennifer) Rakvin and Jason (Tracy) Rakvin.

Together Bob and Judy became true “Snowbirds” spending winters in Sebring and summers in Brockway.  They have many very good friends in Sebring and there are many happy memories of good times spent with them. Bob was employed in the Art and Design Department of the Brockway Glass Company throughout his entire working career.  He retired in 1990. In his younger years, Bob enjoyed bowling in several leagues at Timber Lanes and Dubois Lanes.  Golf became his passion later in life.  The highlight of his golfing years was the hole-in-one that he recorded at the Scottish Heights Golf Course. He traveled to different golf courses around Pennsylvania with a group of golfers who called themselves The Golf Nuts.  Amazingly, this group of golfers had a knack for finding the best little ice cream shops no matter where they went. Moosetracks was Bob’s favorite flavor. Bob enjoyed woodworking, watching football games and solving the newspaper’s daily crossword puzzle.  He was always up for a good game of cards.  It was very rare for anyone to beat him in a game of Cinch.
Bob was a lifelong member of the Brockway Presbyterian Church where he served as an usher, a Trustee and an Ordained Elder. In years past, he was also involved with the Brockway Kaimans, the Mengle Memorial Library and the Brockway Fourth of July Committee as the head of the Parade Committee. 

In addition to his children, Bob is survived by his wife Judy and his brother Morris Briggs of Tonawanda, NY. Affectionately known to them as Pappa or Pappa Bob, he is also survived by his grandchildren Kyle (Megan) Shannon and their son Brexton, Christina (Joshua) Inzana and their sons Joshua “JJ” Jr., and Alexander, Mark Shannon, Nikki (Brennan) Oakley and their son Barrett, Joshua Rakvin, Michael (Katie) Almony and their son Cooper, Alex Almony, Jordan (Evan) Vallee and their son Simon, Mitchell Almony, Mallori Rakvin and her son Logan, Jacob Rakvin, Connor Romes, Madison Romes, Gabriella Rakvin, Julian Rakvin, Miles Rakvin, Adrian Rakvin, McCabe Rakvin and Hayes Rakvin.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Sandra, his parents, and his infant brother William Benson. Bob was a gentle and kind man whose love for his family and friends was steady, constant, unconditional and unwavering.  He will be deeply missed and forever loved. A memorial service for Robert A. Benson will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 15, 2023 at the Brockway Presbyterian Church in Brockway, PA with Rev. Jeffrey Potter officiating.  Inurnment will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Brockway.

Memorial donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Brockway Presbyterian Church at 817 Main Street, Brockway PA 15824 or to the Brockway Area Ambulance Service at 1147 Cherry Street, PO Box 222, Brockway PA 15824. 

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