Glendon Benson

Glendon M. Benson, a resident of Danville and former mechanical engineer, died Dec. 20 at the Bruns House in Alamo.

Born May 16, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Leonard Elsworth Benson and Esther Victoria (Nelson) Benson, he attended school there and was active in his church and Boy Scouts.

He became an Eagle Scout and enjoyed the many activities associated with scouting. He was proud when his two grandsons, Christopher and David Raitz, each achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Benson attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1953 as a mechanical engineer and completed his master’s degree the following year. From there, he went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and completed his Ph.D. He had worked summers at various companies, adding to his experience.

In 1959, he moved to California and began his career at the Laboratory. Later that year, he went back to Minnesota to marry Janet Aker in St. Paul. They returned to California and settled in Danville.

In 1967, he began his own company in Oakland and then went on in 1987 to start up his second business. His projects included work on Stirling engines, solar energy, fuel cells, aerospace technologies and many other endeavors.

Benson is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet; daughters, Karin Raitz and Katherine Roberts and their husbands, Mark Raitz and Kevin Roberts; grandchildren, Christopher, David and Lauren Raitz and Wesley and Madison Roberts; and great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Raitz.

A memorial service was held Jan. 10 in Danville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bruns House, 2849 Miranda Ave., Alamo, Calif. 94608 or the Deacon’s Fund of the Community Presbyterian Church, 222 El Pintado Road, Danville 94526.