Col. Charles Patrick Benson, USAF (Ret.), Jr., 93, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024 at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.

Charles was born to Charles and Catherine (Ryan) Benson in Buffalo, New York on March 17, 1930.  He attended school in Buffalo and graduated from Buffalo Technical High School in 1948.  He joined the Air Force in 1951 and continued his education at the Universities of Maryland and Colorado.  As a young lieutenant, he met Joan Hessler and the two of them later were married and grew their family to include four children.

Col. Benson had a distinguished Air Force career to include service at: Lackland AFB, TX, Sheppard AFB, TX, Luke AFB, AZ, Hondo AFB, TX, Reese AFB, TX, Vance AFB, OK, Mitchell AFB, NY, Moody AFB, GA, Johnson AFB, Japan, Kimsan AFB, Korea, Stewart AFB, NY, Headquarters Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, 327th Air Division, Taiwan, Vietnam, Headquarters, Pacific Command, Hawaii, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C. and Ellsworth AFB, SD.  For much of his career, he served as a pilot and truly loved flying.  Prior to retirement, he completed his service as the Base Commander of Ellsworth Air Force Base.

During his years of service, he earned the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal-one oak leaf cluster.

After the military, he enjoyed time spent with family and was an avid golfer at Arrowhead County Club.  He stayed active and served as the Director of Fundraising for the SD Children's Home Society.  Charles was also a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Joan Benson, children; Susan Krauss (Louis), Christine Benson, Patricia Coppedge (Dwayne) and Scott Benson (Amanda).  He was also a loving grandfather to nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Nancy Grant.

Friends and family are invited to a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.  A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2024. At Blessed Sacrament Church.  Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery.