Dale V. Benham, 89 of Sun City, AZ, and formerly of North Platte and Omaha, NE, died in Sun City, AZ, December 22, 2015. Memorial Services will be held at the Adams-Swanson Chapel on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at 11:00 AM.
Dale Benham was born October 3, 1926, in Cozad, NE to Howard B. & Beulah M. Miller Benham. He spent his childhood and early years in North Platte, NE. He graduated from North Platte Senior High School in May 1944. He received his Associates College Degree in Business Management on February 25, 1985 from the Metropolitan Technical Community College in Omaha, NE. He maintained a 4.O GPA and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Eta Sigma.
In May 1947 he married Arleta R. Reynolds in North Platte, they were later divorced.
On November 15, 1969 he married Rosa Marcette (Wells) Sawyer. They lived in Omaha and North Platte, NE. After retirement they moved to Sun City, AZ in 1990.
Mr. Benham began his railroad career in 1944, as a clerk for the Union Pacific Railroad until 1946. He went to Alaska in 1949 and worked as a clerk for the Alaska Railroad. He returned to North Platte on November 28, 1949 and worked again for the Union Pacific Railroad as a clerical worker. He then advanced to higher positions and to Union Pacific’s headquarters in Omaha, including the position of Private Secretary to the Engineer of Track, that overseen the rail lines in a private car. He advanced to the Secretary of Chief Engineer and several different management positions in Personnel Services. He celebrated his retirement on September 27, 1985 after 36 years with the Union Pacific Railroad.
In North Platte he was an active member and officer of the Oddfellow Lodge (IOOF). He maintained a lifelong membership in the Lodge after leaving North Platte. He was active in the Omaha Sports Club for both Bowling and Golfing for many years. After retiring, he and his wife Marcette spent several years traveling in their 5th Wheel around the United States performing host services at National and State Park Campgrounds. After retiring to Sun City, he became a member of the Sun City Genealogy and Computer Clubs. He did extensive home computer research in Genealogy and traced his family lines back over 600 years. He frequently returned to North Platte to participate in class reunions.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved/devoted wife of 32 years, Rosa Marcette in 2001; son John R. Sawyer in 2011 and grandson, Bryan A. Benham in 2010.
Mr. Benham is survived by a son, Kevin R. (Cindy) Benham, of Aurora, CO; 5 daughters, Colleen Benham Blevins of Sun City West, AZ; Kathleen L. Benham, of Denver, CO; Robin Lea Sawyer (Ronald) Swanson of Loup City, NE; Lila Marcette Sawyer (Robert) Mason, of Pittsburgh, PA; Shari L. Sawyer (Tim) Bazzie, of Charlotte, NC; a brother, Gary L. (Jeri) Benham of Flagstaff, AZ; a brother in law Albert A. (Ruby) Wells, of Sun City, AZ; a brother in law James S. Wahlberg, of Colorado Springs, CO; 14 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at 11 am, Tuesday, May 31st at the Adams and Swanson Chapel in North Platte, with Pastor Scott Mustion of the Presbyterian Church officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.