George E. Benson
January 10, 1919 - October 25, 2004
Obituary
GEORGE E. BENSON, JR.: January 10, 1919 – October 25, 2004.
George was born to George and Lillian Benson in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 10, 1919. He was the oldest of three children, including his sister Joan and his brother James. At an early age, he developed two passions which would continue for the rest of his life: a fascination for transit systems–most notably streetcars–and a love of music. His father and grandfather owned the Benson Music Store in Minneapolis, and George learned to play several brass instruments.
George began high school in 1934, but because of hay fever which had become asthmatic, his parents sent him to live with relatives in Seattle in the summer of 1935. He attended and graduated from Queen Anne high school.
During and after high school, George worked at several pharmacies in Seattle, and one summer in Fall City. Most notably, he worked at Lincoln Pharmacy in Wallingford from 1939 to 1942. During that time he enrolled at the University of Washington and began studying pharmacy. Because times were financially difficult, George worked 48 hours a week to make ends meet.
In 1942, George enlisted in the US Navy and saw duty in the Pacific during World War II. Because of his pharmacy studies, he was made Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class and was assigned to the destroyer USS HALFORD. In the summer of 1944, George attended Officer’s Candidate School in New York, and thereafter served as an ensign aboard the attack transport ship USS FREDERICK FUNSTON. His ships were involved in several battles and island landings during the War, including Iwo Jima, where he witnessed the U.S. flag hoisted by the marines.
After World War II, George returned to Seattle and the University of Washington. In February, 1946 George met Evelyn Leyman while they were both working at Lincoln Pharmacy in Wallingford. Evelyn, of Morton Washington, was also a pharmacy student, and they were married on June 29, 1946. A running joke between George and Evelyn was that his proposal to her was: “Marry me and I’ll put you in debt beyond your wildest dreams.” Appropriately, their honeymoon in Portland included riding streetcars.
George graduated from the UW in 1946. In 1949, he and Evelyn purchased Mission Pharmacy on Capitol Hill, with the financial help of their employer, Thorman Jacobsen. They owned and operated Mission Pharmacy for 46 years. George and Evelyn became fixtures in the community, developing a real family relationship with the people in the neighborhood. In their younger years, daughters Amy and Ann spent considerable time working in the drugstore alongside George and Evelyn.
George was first elected to the Seattle City Council in 1973, and he served for over 20 years on the Council. He proved to be popular with voters because of his problem-solving approach and his attention to even the smallest problems. More than a few people were puzzled that George chose a second career in politics because his direct, gentlemanly personality seemed to be the opposite of what a “politician” should be. However, the reason he was so successful and popular was because he embodied the true meaning of “public servant.” He felt honored to serve the people of Seattle; he loved the City.
George’s most visible and favorite City project was the Waterfront Streetcar, which took 8 ½ years to complete. The City of Seattle, Burlington Northern, Urban Mass Transit, waterfront businesses, and Senator Magnuson all had a role in its approval and development. One of the last participants to approve the project was Seattle waterfront restaurateur, Ivar Haglund. Initially opposed, Ivar agreed to support the project on condition that the Madison Street Station, across from his restaurant would be named “Clam Central Station.” Ivar’s request was granted.
Because of its popularity, the streetcar line was extended to the International District in 1991. It remains a viable transportation link and tourist attraction, and the line officially bears George’s name.
George was also a leader in the field of pharmacy. He served as President of the Washington State Pharmaceutical Association in the 1960s, and President of the National Community Pharmacist’s Association then National Association of Retail Druggists in 1972-73. At the time of his death, he still served on the Board of the NCPA Foundation, which awards scholarships to deserving pharmacy students. George and Evelyn had many dear pharmacy friends within the State of Washington, and throughout the country.
George never lost his love for music. He played in the Husky marching band after World War II, and was a member of the Husky Alumni Band for decades, playing the baritone horn at football games until his health would no longer allow. He was also a member of the Seattle Civic Band. During his life, George played five different brass instruments, the string bass and the piano. He could play by ear and enjoyed playing with family and friends.
George was a devout Christian and was a member of the First Covenant Church of Seattle for more than 50 years. He and Evelyn were very active and had many dear, supportive friends at First Covenant.
George and Evelyn had three children–Ann, George and Amy. The family first lived less than a block from the Mission Pharmacy on Capitol Hill, then moved to View Ridge in 1957. In 1964 Evelyn’s father died, and her mother Hazel Leyman came to live with the family. In 1975, George’s mother, Lillian Benson, also widowed, came to live with the family.
George touched many people’s lives. An example is that after George and Evelyn shut down the Mission Pharmacy in 1994, they were given a wonderful, surprise retirement dinner by more than 30 of their former drugstore employees, all of whom had stayed in contact over the years.
Unfortunately, soon after they retired, Evelyn was diagnosed with a fatal illness. George’s duties changed to care-giver, including taking Evelyn to dialysis at 5:00 AM three times a week. He loved Evelyn deeply, and missed her very
much after her death in April, 2002.
George’s activities and service to the community are really too numerous to list, but it should be mentioned that George served on the Union Gospel Mission Board of Directors, the Police Pension Board, was a member of the Capitol Hill Lions Club for more than forty years, and helped out regularly at the Milionair Club.
In 2001, George and Evelyn established the George and Evelyn Benson Endowment for Pharmacy, which awards scholarships to deserving University of Washington pharmacy students. In 2002, Marie Bach was the first recipient of a scholarship. Marie was grateful for the scholarship and kept in touch with George over the past two years to apprise him of her progress in pharmacy. Fatefully, during his last hours this past Monday night, Marie, her mother and brother came to visit George. George was able to recognize Marie, and she prayed and sang for him.
His children thank all of those who supported him, served with him, worshiped with him, played with him, volunteered on his campaigns, took care of him, worked with him and for him, and were good neighbors to him during his life. We thank our mom for her love and dedication to him. George’s life truly exceeded his expectations in every sense.
George passed away from Parkinsons related complications on October 25, 2004. He is survived by children Ann Hekkanen, South Pender Island, B.C., Amy Padgett, Lynnwood, Washington, and George E. Benson, Snohomish, Washington; granddaughters Kathryn Larsen, Port Coquitlam, B.C., Mykella Hekkanen, Okotoks, Alberta, and Athena Hammack, Everett, Washington; great-grandsons Jason Larsen and Jaylen Hammack; son-in-law Jeff Padgett and his daughter Amber Padgett; grand-sons-in–law Dwight Hammack and David Larsen; and Ann’s partner Cornell Payerle.
A Memorial Service will be offered at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 30, 2004 at First Covenant Church, 400 E. Pike, Seattle, WA. Remembrances should be made to any of the following:
University of Washington Foundation, George and Evelyn Benson Endowment for Pharmacy
University of Washington School of Pharmacy
Box 357631
Seattle, WA 98195-7631
First Covenant Church of Seattle
400 E. Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98122
National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation
100 Daingerfield Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
Union Gospel Mission
P.O. Box 202
Seattle, WA 98111-0202
I grew up on Capitol Hill, visiting “the” pharmacy with my parents, John & Helene Deskins, and I always remember how George & Evelyn greeted and treated their customers & friends. Much later in life, working for Burlington Northern, I worked with George on a number of transportation issues. Even after he retired from the Council, I enjoyed seeing George at meetings and admired his continuing involvement in things that were so important to him. He had a great influence on those issues and on the city he loved. He was a wonderful man, a good friend and he will be missed.
I have many wonderful memories of visits to their home but the most vivid is of the trolley car seats we used in the back yard for picnics.
I have very fond memories of
living across the alley from
the Benson’s. I spent many of
my childhood days playing in
their backyard. It was always
a warm and friendly environ-
ment.
Stopping at the Mission Pharm-
acy was the highlight of my
day. What an honor it was to
know such a special human
being.
I am so thankful that Evelyn
and George were a part of my
life.
My sincerest sympathy to Ann,
Georgie, and Amy.
Sincerely, Janis
There are many memories of his kindness. And as the fellow before wrote, he helped many nieghborhood young people and so many others.My thoughts and prayers are with all the family
When George & Evelyn Benson purchased Mission Pharmacy, I was a regular customer at the old fashioned and short lived soda fountain. When I was in high school, George and Evelyn came over to our house and asked my parents if it would be OK if I worked at Mission Pharmacy.
Well, I did work there, with George and Evelyn and Jack Rouark and Jim Bradley. I learned how to administer the price code, how to burn boxes in the back lot, how to sweep the floors with that green grainy stuff and every two weeks how to mop the store Navy style.
I also learned how to go to the Plaid Piper after our night mopping chores and eat French Dip Sandwiches. I remember one night that I ate two 2. George asked me if I was still hungry and I said yes, so I got to order ham and eggs after that.
George and Evelyn Benson were and are among some of the finest people that I have ever had the privilege to know. They were honest and loving and of the highest moral character.
I have attended reunions and anniversaries for the Bensons and each time the rooms have been full of people like me who know and honor these fine people.
My sincere condolences to Ann and George and Amy and their families. Your parents were the best.
Let us all share in the love for them.
Sincerely,
Peter