Ronald George “Ron” Benson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher, mentor, engineer, and lifelong learner, died at home August 28 in Maine following a brief illness with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Born in Iowa to George Christian and Martha Augusta Benson on October 2, 1942,, Ron was an Iowa boy at heart. Music was part of his life from the beginning. He played trumpet, played taps at military funerals as a teenager, performed with his band, the Versatiles, and later sang in barbershop groups, the New Haven Community Chorus, and church choirs.

Ron’s greatest partnership began with a blind date. A friend introduced him to Judith “Judy” Porter Gilkes. They married in the middle of a blizzard and spent the next 58 years building a life together through twelve homes and moves across the country, two children, three grandsons, changing careers, adventures, challenges, and much laughter.

Ron was a doer. He earned three degrees from the University of Iowa, including a Ph.D. in Business Administration and Management Systems. His career moved repeatedly between industry and education. He worked as an engineer and manufacturing executive, including with General Electric’s Aircraft Engine Group, and spent 16 years at Western Connecticut State University, ultimately serving as Acting Dean. His curiosity also took him to Armenia, where he taught MBA students during the country’s early years of independence. He later served as Dean at Aurora University and continued teaching online and mentoring graduate and doctoral students in retirement.

Ron was thoughtful and sometimes quiet, fiercely independent, and always ready for a good prank. He could build and fix almost anything. Cars were a lifelong passion, but he was equally capable as an electrician, plumber, carpenter, gardener, and all-around handyman. In Maine, he volunteered repairing and maintaining antique cars at the Seal Cove Auto Museum.

Ron was enormously proud of his children and the lives they built. He admired the community his son, Will, built through his work and the way he made teaching and mentoring young people part of it. His daughter, Christina, remembers most the joy and fun they shared. Some of her happiest memories are of dancing with her dad. At her wedding, they danced and danced.

To his three grandsons—Jack Stanton, Rory Benson, and Ridley Stanton—he was Pop Pop. They were everything to him. He delighted in their lives and interests, encouraged them, and showed up for them.

Ron is survived by his wife and partner of 58 years, Judy; his son, William Henry Benson, his wife Traci, and their son Rory, along with Traci’s children Jacob and McKenna Henderson; his daughter, Christina Ann Benson, and her sons Jack and Ridley; his sister, Audrey Bentz; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Ron’s final chapter was in Maine. When he became ill, friends and neighbors surrounded Ron and Judy with extraordinary kindness. He remained at home, cared for above all by Judy—the nurse he had married 58 years earlier and his partner through every chapter of their life together.

The family is planning a memorial service in October 2026. Details will be shared when arrangements are finalized. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial gifts in Ron’s honor to the Mount Desert Nursing Association, Seal Cove Auto Museum, or Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com/