Celebrating the Life of
Doug Benson
June 8, 1944 — December 6, 2023
Obituary
Douglas K. Benson, 79, passed away on December 6th, 2023, from complications due to duodenal cancer.
Doug was born on June 8th, 1944 in Marysville, California, to Dr. Reo and Mary (Lamb) Benson. They moved to Taos, New Mexico, following his father's release from the military after World War II. Doug met his wife of 58 years, Cecille (Cele) Herrell Benson, while attending New Mexico State University. They were married on August 21st, 1965. He went on to get a Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico.
Doug began his career at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska, where he taught Spanish and French. There, Doug and Cele had their two sons, Eric and Craig. In 1980, he got a teaching position in the Department of Modern Languages at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, where he was a Professor of Spanish until his retirement in 2015.
Doug was a man of many passions. He was never more at home than when in the mountains of New Mexico, although he loved the Flint Hills, too. He enjoyed music, especially playing classical guitar. He was a dedicated teacher, constantly adopting new teaching methods and caring for his students in a way that made them feel like family. Doug was a strong advocate for multiculturalism and diversity at the University. He loved Spanish and Latin American culture; traveling with students to Granada was a highlight of his teaching career.
Never one to sit still, after "retirement" he threw himself into volunteering at the Flint Hills Community Clinic as a translator, continued in a leadership position for the KSU Latinx advocacy group Alianza, was active in the Northview neighborhood where he lived, and functioned as Senior Warden for St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He did all of this while caring for his wife, keeping up with his bird feeders and yard, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Doug is survived by his wife, Cele Benson; siblings, Karen Benson, Don Benson, and Patti Timmons; his children, Eric (Emily) Benson and Craig (Kelly) Benson; and six grandchildren, Margaret, Josephine, David, Riley, Laura, and Casey. His family meant everything to him. Respected by colleagues and beloved by neighbors, students, and family, he will be sorely missed.
Funeral services will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Wamego, Kansas, on Saturday, December 16th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the [Flint Hills Community Clinic](https://mhkfreeclinic.com/).
Memories and Condolences
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.
I was a student of Dr. Benson’s at K-State. He was my favorite teacher of all time. I think of him and talk about him often. He was so knowledgeable and personable. I learned so much for him and he has greatly influenced the kind of teacher I am now. My heart goes out to his wife and his boys. The world is a better place because of Dr. Benson.
¡Doctor! You were the best teacher on el planeta (¡neta!) Only you could have helped me & my burro-brain master where to put accents and to become a Spanish grammar policeman. Seriously, you were a great friend, a wonderful mentor, a top-notch educator, a great family man, an accomplished scholar, a gentleman, a true pozole aficionado, and a terrific advocate & ally. I learned so much from your example. I'm eternally grateful for your guidance, your mentorship, and your care. I join the legions of K-State (and other) students who are in your debt. May our great and beloved creator receive you with an abrazote cariñoso.
Dr. Benson, Thank you so much for everything. I'm a better educator because of you. I will never forget you. My condolences to the family. Gracias Dr. Benson por siempre y para siempre. Dios lo bendiga.
When I arrived to K-State as a young visiting professor I found a mentor, a friend and a great compañero by the name of Doug Benson. He was loved by students, respected by colleagues and a pillar in the community. The best thing one can say about anyone is that he was a good person. Doug was so, and the kindest. He kindly played his guitar at my wedding and I was delighted to bring my baklava for loving and sweet Cele at every chance... They both greatly contributed to my feeling at home in Manhattan. Much love, admiration and eternal memory.
My wife and I are so fortunate of having studied in Dr. Benson's class a decade ago. He made everyone better through his interactions and his modeling. He was a healer. Dr. Benson will not just live in our hearts and minds, but also through our acts. My wife and I are both educators and we still use his wisdom as a lighthouse to guide us. Rest in power Dr. Benson. Eras y eres el más grande.
Dr. Benson Thank you for everything that you did for me when I was at K-State. I will always remember your kind heart and willingness to help your students. You never demanded an explanation or an excuse as to why I was not showing up to your class, you were simply happy to see me, and eager to help me get back on track. Greeting your students by name and shaking our hands as we walked in. You were the prime example of the importance of greeting your students everyday by their name. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, may you rest in peace. I pray that God gives your family peace during this difficult time. M. Sanchez
I met Dr. Benson as a Spanish student in the Fall of 1982 when I enrolled at KSU. I ended up taking several courses with him over the next four years. Over time, as I myself went to grad school in Spanish, earning a PhD, our relationship went from professor-student to colleague-friend. When in Manhattan, he and I got together over coffee, and I cherished our dialogue. One of the most memorable experiences I had was when I informed him that I had achieved full professorship at Utah State University. He said “that’s great, I’m so proud of you!” Although we hadn’t been in touch as October the past few years, Doug was frequently on my mind when I thought about my own career as a Spanish professor. My most sincere condolences to his family. However, I hope that they know that Doug brought a human element to what he did and as a student, that made him special to us as students. I strive to follow his example in my own classroom each and every day. JP Spicer
We have only had the pleasure to meet Doug and Cele on a couple of occasions while coming to Manhattan for a MU versus wildcat football game. Their son Craig is my brother in law. They were very cordial and humble. Doug was especially accommodating, making sure we had everything we needed, and gave us a thorough tour of the campus with a brief history of his life. He was an amazing man and a brilliant scholar. On our last day. It had snowed and iced overnight. We all went out to breakfast together while our cars thawed out (running w/ heat on) it was an amazing time and we will never forget, his hospitality and what a gentleman he was.
I was pregnant with our second son when we moved to Hastings and became neighbors with the Bensons. Cele was also pregnant and recommended her doctor. We never imagined our sons being born on the same day! We were roommates in the hospital. Right after our 3rd son was born, we moved a couple of blocks away. He was a very colicky baby. I had yet become acquainted with my new neighbors so I often called the Bensons. Hearing a crying baby on the phone, Cele would immediately respond “ I’m on my way” or Doug would say “Cele is on her way!” So grateful to have them as friends. I wish we would have had more years as neighbors.
I majored in Spanish at K-State and always looked forward to my classes with Dr. Benson. My sympathy goes out to his family and close friends.
I had the privilege of working with Doug for several years on the Community Cultural Harmony Week committee. He and Candi Hironaka were incredible leaders for this committee and the work of inclusion. I also live in the same neighborhood, so I'd get to connect occasionally with Doug in his beautiful front yard. My sympathies to your family. Please know Doug impacted so many on our campus and around the world. He'll be greatly missed. -Ben
He was the best neighbor anyone could have had. We loved him and will really be missed.
My condolences to his family. Dr. Benson was one of the best teachers I had at K-state! He was so effortless in his teaching style that it came naturally and everyone loved his classes. In addition, because of his help, I was able to enter graduate school, and for that I am extremely grateful.
Dear Benson family, it is very difficult to express feelings when you lose a good friend and a teacher who guided me for the literature path. Dr. Benson was a very special person to me and to all his students. I took several of my master classes with him, and in each of them, he transported us to a different t world. His classes were magical and full of knowledge and fun too. Believe it or not, I wanted the class lasted four hours instead of two. Dr. Benson was a very kind, eloquent, intelligent and gentle person. He always helped his students and he wanted all of them to succeed. I had a beautiful experience during a Christmas party with the Language Department a long time ago. I heard that night for the first time Dr. Benson playing the guitar. His music transported me to another dimension. Thank you Dr. Benson for everything you have done for me and other students too. You will be always in my heart. I send my condolences to the Benson family. Specially for Cecile that I have as a guest in our home too. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Doug Benson (back right in this photo), passed away on Wednesday, December 6 after a valiant attempt to beat a surprise cancer. Those of you who knew him may have known him as a language professor, an active community member, a mentor, a classical guitarist, or simply a good human. To his family, he was a husband of 58 years to Cecille Herrell Benson, a grandpa of 6 fantastic Bensons, the eldest of 4 siblings, or to my brother Eric Benson and I, he was dad. Vaya con Dios, dad.
Cele, Eric, Craig & family: I was so sorry to hear about Doug, he was a good man and you have my sincerest condolences. He was my guitar teacher for several years while I was in junior high and high school (and a little bit in college) and was a fantastic teacher, not to mention a truly supportive and positive influence at a time when I didn't have many positive influences. One of my favorite memories is from many years ago when I played guitar at the annual KSNT talent show for their "Go Fourth" 4th of July celebration, and I was delighted to find out Doug braved the heat and mosquitoes to come see me perform. He surprised me by showing up just off the side of the stage as we were all waiting for the winners to be announced, and I was so excited to see him that I missed hearing I came in 2nd! Doug was a fine man and has left so many of us with great memories. My love to you all.
My dear Benson family. My deepest condolences. I remember Doug very fondly. When I was in college at K-State, your family took me in on multiple occasions, at holidays, birthdays, etc. My favorite memory I think was when I spent Christmas day with the family and we all went to see Toy Story in the theater on Christmas Day. A friend shared this sentiment with me after the passing of my own father this past summer and it has echoed in my head. "Dad, your life was a blessing, our memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure." All my love and giant hugs to all of you. - Becky