Charles P. Benziger

Charles Phillip Benziger, age 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Hospice care at Westmoreland Health and Rehab Center.  Born September 6, 1920, in Knoxville, TN, Charles was the son of Nellie Fischer Benziger and Clifford Hirsch Benziger.  He attended Knoxville High School and was a devoted member of the Class of '38 all the way through their 75th reunion in 2013.  Charles attended the University of Tennessee until his college education was interrupted by his service in World War II.  As a tail gunner in a B-24 Liberator in the Army Air Corps, he flew 50 bombing missions over Italy, North Africa, and parts of Eastern Europe.  Only in the last quarter of his life did Charles begin to relate orally and in writing his detailed accounts of his war experiences.  After returning to Knoxville in 1945, he graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1946 with a degree in Geology.  It was while at UT that he met and married the love of his life, (Nina) Joyce Srygley.  Charles' career as a geologist began at TVA, where he worked on hydroelectric projects like Melton Hill Dam in Oak Ridge.  In 1956, he accepted a job with Bechtel in southern California, ...[more]

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rnia, moving his family out there in a trailer along Route 66 so that they could see and appreciate the magnificent geology of places like the Grand Canyon.  In 1957, he began working in Niagara Falls, NY, as the Chief Geologist for the Niagara Power Project.  In 1963, he was hired by Charles T. Main to work in Newburgh, NY; in 1966, he transferred to the home office in Boston, MA.  During the eighteen years that he worked out of that office, he traveled all over the world, helping underdeveloped nations in South America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East to find suitable locations for their hydroelectric dams.  It was work that involved primitive field conditions and unpalatable food, but his Kodak slides and tales of adventure were enthralling.  Charles and Joyce had four children:  Janet, Nancy, Susan, and Charles, Jr. (Chuck), and he taught them how to fish, camp, shoot the muzzle-loading rifles he made himself, work with the wood-working tools in his extensive shop, and make repairs to the Volkswagen Beetles and Corvairs he loved.  When Charles retired from Charles T. Main in 1984, he and Joyce joyfully returned to Knoxville and embraced a multitude of activities.  Charles began a geology-consulting firm and also started his one-man company, Turkey Creek Woodworks, specializing in Shaker furniture.  On the invitation of George Webb, he also joined the Knoxville Downtown Sertoma Club and was a faithful member for over 30 years, helping out with countless fund-raising efforts for charities.  He enjoyed his weekly Sertoma lunches at the Foundry with his fellow World War II vets and history buffs.  He and Joyce worked tirelessly for many worthy causes, among them Friends of the Library, the MS Society, Farragut's Unsung Navy (FUN), and Mobile Meals.  After the passing of his wife in 2013, Charles acquired a new love in the form of a 1928 Mercedes Gazelle that he nicknamed "Zelda."  He enjoyed driving all over West Knoxville, tooting Zelda's horn and going for his favorite food, Dippin' Donuts on Kingston Pike.  He also loved being on his screened-in porch for so many activities:  entertaining family and friends, doing crossword puzzles, reading countless books, and napping!  Preceeded in death by parents; wife of 66 years, Joyce Srygley Benziger; and sister, Barbara Hirsch Benziger.  Survived by children Janet Benziger Bigelow and husband Tim, Nancy Benziger Brown and husband Robert, Susan Benziger Havard and husband Russell, and Charles Phillip Benziger, Jr. and wife Dianna; grandchildren Matthew Brown, Sarah Brown Bauguess and husband Justin, Rachel Bigelow, Chris Havard and wife Sarah, Amy Havard Widner and husband Fielding, Stephen Havard, Alissa Benziger, and Nicholas Benziger and fiancée Emily; great grandchildren Samantha, Whitley, and William Bauguess; sisters-in-law Jane Srygley and Mary Frances Pierce; and ten nieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sertoma Center, 1400 E. 5th Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917 or to the National MS Society, Mid South Chapter, 214 Overlook Circle, Suite 153, Brentwood, TN 37027.  Although a member of West End Church of Christ, Charles' Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, September 6, from 4:30-6:30 at the Foundry, World's Fair Park.  Following a donation of his body for medical research, he will be buried with full military honors at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery near Forks of the River.  The family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Montgomery of Summit Medical Group for more than 30 years of extraordinary care, including home visits; Dr. James Pharaoh for extending Charles' life for four more years following a diagnosis of lung cancer; the staff of Parkwest Medical Center, especially the emergency room and the 3rd floor; and Avalon Hospice. Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family and invites you to view and sign the online guestbook below.