More detail on this person: Theodore DeWayne
(Ted) Benson was born to Jesse and Mabel Benson
in Moorcroft, Wyoming on April 29, 1931 and died
at 78 at his home in South Park, Jackson,
Wyoming March 1, 2010. Ted's Family moved to
Jackson when he was less than a year old and he
grew up hunting, fly fishing, trapping, skiing and
cowboying. He attended local schools, graduating
from Jackson Wilson High School in 1949. After his
first semester at the University of Wyoming, he
married Kay Willard and she worked his way
through college, where he lettered all three years
on the ski team. In 1953 he graduated with a
bachelor's degree in Business Administration,and
was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of lnfantry. His
first duty assignment was Fort Benning, Georgia
where he discovered the Army had airplanes. He
proceeded immediately to flight school and
throughout his 20 plus years as an Army officer
flying was his favorite part. During his first
tour in Germany as a forward artillery observer he
painted the Wyoming cowboy symbol in brown and
gold on the hubcaps of his airplane. He completed
4 tours of duty overseas, two in Germany, one in
Vietnam and one in Korea. He fathered three
daughters, Brett, Shown and Lauren, and one son,
Ted II, moved 29 times and retired in Michigan as
a Lt. Col. in 1976. During his service he
commanded an aircraft maintenance Company in
Germany, a Rotary instructors Flight at the
Aviation School in Alabama, an aviation platoon in
Vietnam and the Pusan Depot in Korea. He was
awarded The Bronze Star, Meritorious Service
Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with
4th Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army commendation
Medal.
After Ted retired from the Army he and his family
returned to Jackson for a visit, the mountains
were pretty and the fishing was good so he built a
house and stayed. He was home. He hooked up
with Gene and Darrell Hoffman, childhood friends,
and obtained his Real Estate License and
apprenticed as a Real Estate Appraiser. He worked
with the Hoffmans for 16 years. In 1993 he and Kay
opened their own office where Ted continued to
appraise until his retirement in 2009. Along with
flying, his favorite things were family, fly
fishing, and photography.
Ted is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kay, four
children, four grandchildren and on sister, Vivian
Williams.
A memorial service will be held on Friday March
5th at the Senior Center in Jackson. Memorial
contributions may be sent to the Senior Center or
Hospice of the Tetons.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association