P. Benson

P. Alan Benson, age 84, of Millcreek, passed away Friday December 28, 2012 in the loving care of his daughter, Leslie Gallien in Jane Lew, West Virginia.

He was born on March 25, 1928 in Erie; son of the late Hugh F. and Jean Carroll Benson.

He was a 1946 graduate of Strong Vincent High School and served in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.

He attended Grove City College, Adelbert College, and Case Western Reserve where he received, his DDS degree in 1955, and later returned to obtain his post graduate degree in Orthodontics, receiving his Master of Science in 1964.

He worked in his own private practice in General Dentistry from 1955 until 1962. He began his Orthodontic Practice in 1964 and worked until his retirement in 1990.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, and the Erie Yacht Club and a past member of the Erie County Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontics.

He loved the outdoors, world traveling, opera and was an avid sailor.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruby Denlinger Benson, whom he married December 18, 1953.

He is survived by a daughter, Leslie L. Gallien and her husband David of Jane Lew, West Virginia, and three sons; Jeffrey A. Benson, DMD and his wife Karen of Erie, James S. Benson and his wife Patty of Strongsville, Ohio, and Eric R. Benson and his wife Judy of Traverse City, Michigan; by eight grandchildren, Dave, Kimberly, Jon, Michelle, Heidi, Brian, Christy, Brad; one great granddaughter, Zoey and a special friend, Carol Brueckman.

Friends are invited to Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street (at Powell Ave.) on Wednesday at 10 am for fellowship time, followed by a memorial service at 11 am.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.