Longtime ABC News Executive Bob Benson Passes Away

Benson

Condolences to longtime ABC NEWS executive BOB BENSON, who died SUNDAY (1/29) in PUNTA GORDA, FL at 74.

In a note to ABC NEWS staff, President JAMES GOLDSTON noted that BENSON (real name BENGSTON) began his career in ILLINOIS while in high school and then joined WIRE-A/INDIANAPOLIS while attending BUTLER UNIVERSITY.  Following that, BENSON worked at KOIL-A/OMAHA, got promoted to National News Director for STAR STATIONS, and joined ANC in 1966 as News Director of WLS-A/CHICAGO, then KGO-A/SAN FRANCISCO.  After a stint at AP RADIO in WASHINGTON, BENSON rejoined ABC as VP of ABC NEWS.

GOLDSTON wrote, "BOB was blessed with a golden voice.  When he was young, he MC'ed many rock & roll concerts including THE BEACH BOYS and THE ROLLING STONES. Later he was executive producer of the first LIVE AID Concert, where ABC radio broadcast 24 hours of uninterrupted programming across the country.  Of all the national and international events he attended and covered, he often said his most memorable moment was a private audience with POPE JOHN PAUL II.

"BOB's love of radio was only surpassed by his love and devotion to family.  BOB met and married MARY ANN SULLIVAN, his wife of 45 years, in SAN FRANCISCO in 1971.  Along with his wife, he is survived by his two sons, WILLIAM and ROBERT; and four beautiful grandchildren, ANDREW, SARAH, ANNA and PETER."

GOLDSTON added that a memorial service will be held on SATURDAY (2/4) at SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH in PUNTA GORDA, FL and that in lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances can be made to ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY, 25200 Airport Road, PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950.

« see more Net News