Frederick Roy Benson, 79, of Solomons, MD, beloved husband of Arlene Ann Fisher Benson, died on February 21, 2014.
Born in Buffalo, NY he was the son of Pierson L. Cohen and Elisabeth A. Benson. A proud Buffalonian, Fred graduated from Canisius High School in Buffalo and Grossmont College in San Diego and also attended the University of Maryland.
“Fred” was a retired and highly decorated U. S. Navy Master Chief Communications Technician and served his country on the USS Jamestown and on military installations worldwide from 1952 through 1974. Fred continued to serve his country with a distinguished career at the U. S. Senate, Office of the Sergeant at Arms until 1990. An affable, friendly, jovial and productive manager and esteemed colleague, Fred brought the U. S. Senate Payroll Department into the 21st century. As a supervisor of Financial Systems, Fred instituted monumental changes to the existing software/computer systems that allowed thousands of Congressional legislators and staff to get paid on time!
Fred is best known as a family man! “Honey”, “Dad”, “Pop”, “Pop-Pop” was adored by his wife, (5) children, (15) grandchildren, (6) great grandchildren, and sister. He is survived by Arlene, his devoted wife of 60 years; daughter Arlene or “Mo” Torbett and husband Dennis; daughter, Patricia Palmer and husband, Joseph Palmer; son, David Benson and wife Hope; daughter, Charmaine Holmes and husband, Chris; and, daughter, Deborah Shirley and husband, Mark.
Fred was predeceased by son, Frederick “Butch” Benson Jr. and granddaughter Christine Palmer. He was the proud Pop-Pop to grandchildren Lauren Peterson, Craig Torbett, Joe Palmer IV, Stephen Palmer, Jamie Palmer, David Benson Jr., Michael Benson, Paul Holmes, Daniel Holmes, Sarah Holmes, Stephanie Farroni, Christopher Holmes, Zachary Shirley, Garrett Shirley and Allison Shirley; sister, Cynthia Cohen; niece, Julianna Long ; nephew Adam Cohen-Congress; and, great grandchildren, Joseph Palmer V, Emily Palmer; Lillian Peterson, Molly Peterson, Penelope Peterson, and, Jonathan Palmer.