Benton Edward Wetzel
February 5, 2010 - February 5, 2010
Obituary
Benton E. Wetzel, age 88, died peacefully Thursday January 28, 2010 in Des Moines, WA. Ben was born on Nov. 7, 1921 in Berkeley, CA to Benton G. and Gwendolyn Wetzel. Ben graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering. He and his family moved to Burien in 1957 and he worked at Boeing until his retirement in 1983. Prior to being hired away by Boeing, Ben worked at Ames Air Force Base and was part of an engineering group that was to later become known as NASA. There he was an integral part of the initial research efforts in conical camber jet fighter wing design. At Boeing he was part of the management/engineering team responsible for the design of the Minuteman missile, as well as, the air launched cruise missile ALCM.
Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Micheline Mimi Wetzel in December of 2000. They met during WWII when Ben was stationed next to her family’s home in Nancy, France. Micheline was a member of the French Underground during the war, which Ben was very proud of. They were married in 1949 after Ben was able to get Micheline a Visa to come over to the states. Micheline later became a US citizen which they were again both very proud of. Benton is survived by their children Claude Lorna Marshall Wetzel, David Yara Wetzel, Leslie Ned Rozzano, and John Patti Wetzel; 8 grandchildren, Adriane John David, Lauren, Kristofer, Ariana, Corryn, Sophie, Anna Martine, and Max; and Ben’s sister Edith Ainsworth.
A celebration of Benton’s life will be held on Saturday February 13, 2010 at 10:00AM at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 1664 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA. 206-242-1781. Please sign the guess book at www.bonneywatson.com.
Remembrances may be made to Medecins sans Frontieres www.msf.org, ‘Doctors without Borders’ a relief agency that Ben and Mimi supported, the Museum of Flight, or those helping the homeless.
David, Claude, Leslie & Families:
I was very sorry to read about your dad. I am also sorry that I missed any notice of your Mom’s passing. I do remember many fun days in Gregory Heights. Claude, I’m still sorry about the dart in your knee….
I am sure that all of you will miss dad / grandpa.
My thoughts are with all of you.
Scott
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Ben was a special man and very blessed to have all of you as his family!
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our family has such wonderful memories of growing up in the neighborhood together. Your parents were alway so kind to our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Know that your family is in thoughts of many as we remember your Dad as great husband, dad, grandfather and most of all a gracious human being.
We are writing on behalf of the residents of Normandy Park Senior Living where Ben spent the last few months of his life. He was slow to open up to us, but to those of us who made the effort, he displayed a quick and lively sense of humor. He had a wonderful smile, and in the short time he was here he found many of us who were eager to be his friend. I wish we had more time to get to know him better. We are holding Ben and all his family in our thoughts and prayers. We sympathize in your loss.
Phyllis Kirk and Peggy Higgins