Robert “Bob” Benjamin died April 15, 2020, in sunny San Diego, under the loving care of his daughters and
hospice. He escaped the Corona virus but died from complications of a broken hip. Robert was born on July 4, 1924 and grew up in Pipestone eldest child of Walter G. and Mabel Benjamin. He contracted and survived Polio, weathered the great Depression, and developed a life-long love of hard work and learning. At Hamline
University in St. Paul, Minnesota, he earned a BA. His years there were interrupted by World war ll. He
became a Navy pilot and navigator and flew in the Pacific. Bob returned from service and married Betty Mae Waidelich on June 7, 1947. Betty supported the young couple while Robert attended medical school at University of Minnesota. They moved to Oregon for his Residency, then to Minnesota. After Robert joined a small group practice, the St Louis Park Medical Center. Over the course of his career he contributed to its expansion into a large heath care provider. He mentored many young doctors, taught surgery at the University of Minnesota, authored books on surgery, and served on the board of the clinic. He believed that family planning was a basic right and became an expert in vasectomy surgery. He offered Thursday evening procedures so men so they could easily recover missing only one day of work. Along with their activism, Bob and Betty shared a zest for life. Bob built a wilderness cabin on the shore of Lake Superior. Later the isolated retreat was traded for a cabin on Madeline Island. Bob served on the Wilderness Preserve board there, as well as pursuing photography, chess, gardening, tennis, hiking and boating. Their love of travel took them around the globe. Many road trips included visits to friends and family, After Betty died, Bob married Cathy Coult. She shared his love of books, music, and travel until dementia overwhelmed her. Bob is survived by four sibiings Walter Majorie Benjamin, Martha Willis Unke, Roger and Nancy Benjamin, and Mary Louise Bowen. Bob was an enthusiastic member of Senior Tennis from 1997.

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