Dr. Raymond Benski

Dr. Raymond Benski, 80, died September 25, 2011, at home in Nederland, Texas. Dr. Benski was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on September 18, 1931 to Casmir and Margaret Benski. He married Sandra Laputz in 1964, and they raised their two children in Nederland. Dr. Benski attended St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Beaumont. Dr. Benski moved to Texas with his parents in 1948. After graduating from Grand Prairie High School, he attended the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and became a registered pharmacist. He was the only pharmacy student ever to complete the Army's Reserve Officer Training Course at the University of Houston, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served 2 years active duty in the 4th Infantry Division, eventually attaining the rank of Captain in the reserves. Following his honorable discharge from the military, Dr. Benski was admitted into the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and he earned an M.D. degree in 1962. After an internship in San Antonio, Texas, he went into solo private practice in Nederland in 1963. He continued his medical education while in practice, and became Board Certified in both Family and Geriatric Medicine. One of his key interests was in nursing homes and long term care. Dr. Benski was the medical director of several local nursing homes. He served as the Chief of Staff of Mid-Jefferson Hospital twice and was on the staff of all but one hospital in Jefferson County. Dr. Benski was very active in the community, belonging to multiple civic organizations, including Rotary, American Cancer Society, Nederland Chamber of Commerce, and Knife and Fork Club. He also served on the board of The Friends of the Arts of Lamar University for many years. He was active in the various Alumni associations of his alma maters. He was a life member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a director on the board of Interstate Bank for 10 years. Dr. Benski left private practice in 1992. He worked for a year in the Texas Criminal Justice system, then joined the faculty of the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he retired in 2001 as an Associate Professor of Family Medicine with 19 years of seniority. He was very proud of the physicians he taught, and felt it was an honor to teach. Dr. Benski was very active in the Masonic fraternity and belonged to Nederland Lodge 1368, and was a member of the Eastern Star. He was a 33rd degree mason and held many leadership positions including Grand Senior Deacon. He organized the Shrine Circus in the 1980's, and for many years it provided funding for El Mina Shrine Temple and its many charitable projects. Dr. Benski was a trustee on the board of the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas for many years. Besides his family and the practice of medicine, Dr. Benski enjoyed partisan politics where he participated in many political races and held many partisan political positions. He was a delegate to the 1980 and 1984 Republican National Conventions, served 10 years on the State Republican Executive Committee, and worked closely with the staff of Senator Phil Gramm. He felt that people in elected positions deserved support for their efforts, and that winning an election was the greatest honor a democracy could award a citizen. Spending time with his grandchildren was one of Dr. Benski's favorite pastimes, as was traveling. He and Sandra visited locations all over the world. He especially liked New York City and its Broadway plays, although his favorite city was Paris, France. He attended the Alley Theater in Houston, the Lutcher Theater in Orange, Lamar University events and Lamarissimo, community plays and the Community Concert series. Dr. Benski's students and teaching responsibilities led him to become very prolific in computer usage, and he spent time daily surfing the Web. Dr. Benski disliked driving, however, and from the early days of marriage to the last, he depended on Sandra to drive wherever they went. Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Levingston Funeral Home in Port Neches. In lieu of flowers or memorials, please donate to your favorite charity or to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas Texas, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219. Dr. Benski is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sandra L. Benski; a son, Bradley R. Benski of McKinney, Texas; a daughter, Pamela A. Petty and her husband, Alex, of Galveston; three grandchildren, Stuart, Victoria, and Spencer Petty, of Galveston; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his two older brothers, Henry S. Benski and Zigmund R. Benski.