Richard A. Benson, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard Alfred Benson a.k.a. 'Pappy', 78 of Youngstown, Ohio, who left us on Saturday, March 29, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. Rick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who was a model and inspiration for his entire family.
Rick was born on February 7, 1947, in Youngstown to Carl Arthur Benson and Maude Edith Benson (Storey). Rick spent his childhood on Thornill Road, with his siblings, Arthur T. Benson, Virginia Benson Ladig, R. Thomas Benson and Herbert L. Benson.
Find obituaries from your high school
He graduated from The Rayen School in 1965 and attended Youngstown State University.
Rick went on to serve in the U.S. Navy up to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class, with a rating as a radarman. He was stationed on the USS Hancock, where he received several honors and awards, and was honorably discharged in 1969.
Rick went on to a lifelong career at AT&T, where he was proud to serve as a union representative for the Communications Workers of America. Rick also was very involved with his church, First Presbyterian of Youngstown, where he served as both a Deacon and an Elder, and the American Legion and VFW Post 419 out of Girard, Ohio, where he served as Commander of the VFW Post for 16 years, up until his passing. Finally, Rick was a prior member of the Vasa Club, and was involved in the Boy Scouts of American Troop 55, where he was an Assistant Scoutmaster, District Commander of the Mahoning Valley Council, and currently was the charter organization representative with First Presbyterian Church. He also was previously affiliated with Troop 46 based out of Churchill United Methodist Church, where he served as Scoutmaster. As a result of his lifetime commitment to the Boy Scouts, he was awarded the Celtic Cross Award in 2021, from the National Association of Presbyterian Scouters.
Rick loved camping, with some of his favorite memories taking place with his family and friends at Holiday Camplands in Andover, Ohio. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles, attending off-Broadway theater, and playing darts and bowling in local leagues.
Rick is survived by his loving wife, Sandy (Milicich); his sons, Josh (Kim Burke), Matthew (Sarah Beasley) and Lucas (Libby Fawcett); his brother, R. Thomas Benson and his sister-in-law, Cindy Milicich. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sydney (Jeremy), Olivia, Emily, Bridget, Jack, Maggie, Mary, Caroline and Cindy, who provided him with untold joy and happiness in his final decades. He additionally leaves behind his cherished pets, Zeke, Ruby, Louie, and Kato.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Arthur and Maude Edith; his brothers, Arthur and Herbert; his sister, Virginia and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Stephen Milicich and Mildred Milicich (Adamovich).
Rick will be remembered for his kind heart, his jovial (and irreverent) sense of humor, and the endless love he had for his family. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy and spirit will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind.
Calling hours will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown on Friday, April 4, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. There will be additional calling hours on Saturday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m., to be followed by a service at 11:00 a.m.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, Ohio.
Arrangements handled by Lane Family Funeral Homes.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard, please visit our floral store.
A television tribute will air Wednesday, April 2 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Bristol announces Navy ship coming to town for 4th of July
BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) — The U.S. Navy is sending the USS Billings up Narragansett Bay to be part of Bristol's Fourth of July Celebration. The 378-foot Freedom-class littoral combat ship will arrive in Bristol on Thursday, July 3, and leave on Monday, July 7. She is named after Billings, Montana, and is designed for operations in near-shore environments while retaining open-ocean capabilities. The ship will be open for public tours, but those times have not been released yet. RELATED: Bristol to repaint 4th of July parade route lines red, white and blue The Navy has been sending ships to Bristol for the town's historic Fourth of July celebration since the early 1900s. Bristol will also have the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester in town for the holiday. It will be moored at the Bristol Town Pier adjacent to the Maritime Center south of Rockwell Park. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
US Aircraft Carrier Holds 'Warfighting' Drills on China's Doorstep
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was conducting operations in the contested South China Sea, the Navy said, to showcase its ability to maintain warfighting advantages. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters A naval strike group led by USS Nimitz—the oldest U.S. aircraft carrier in active service—has been operating in the South China Sea, where sovereignty claims by several countries overlap, since late May as part of its regularly scheduled deployment to the western Pacific. Meanwhile, China has deployed both of its two operational aircraft carriers to waters beyond the First Island Chain—an island defense line formed by Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines as part of a U.S. maritime containment strategy intended to restrict China's naval activities. What To Know The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group conducted "maritime security operations"—including flight operations, maritime strike exercises, and tactical training between surface and air units—in the South China Sea on Wednesday, according to the aircraft carrier's public affairs officer. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 5, 2025. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 5, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn Guage/U.S. Navy "Carrier operations in the South China Sea are part of the U.S. Navy's routine presence in the Indo-Pacific," the press release stated. U.S. warships frequently operate in the South China Sea to maintain freedom of navigation, challenging excessive maritime claims by regional countries. Rear Admiral Fred Goldhammer, commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said the deployment aims to build proficiency and conduct flight operations supporting the "full spectrum of operations," adding that the unit operates "wherever international law allows." The Nimitz's deployment in the South China Sea follows a warning from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about China's threats in the Indo-Pacific region. He said the East Asian power seeks nothing less than hegemony and is increasingly willing to resort to force. In response to Hegseth's remarks on the South China Sea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of being the "primary factor" undermining peace and stability, while claiming that there has never been any problem with freedom of navigation and overflight. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 6, 2025. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea on June 6, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew C. Wolf/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying Rear Admiral Fred Goldhammer, commander of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, said in a press release on Wednesday: "We are doing more than ever to strengthen peace, stability, and deterrence across the Indo-Pacific." The public affairs officer of USS Nimitz said in a press release on Wednesday: "The operations include both day and night flight evolutions. These activities support maritime security, enhance interoperability with regional partners, and maintain the U.S. Navy's ability to project power across the theater." An unnamed spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on June 1: "China has always been committed to working with countries concerned to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, while safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with laws and regulations." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Nimitz will head toward the broader western Pacific after concluding its operations in the South China Sea to counter the two Chinese aircraft carriers.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Crew of USS Oscar Austin awarded Combat Action Ribbons for Red Sea deployment
The USS Oscar Austin played a pivotal role as Houthi rebels fired hundreds of rockets and drones towards U.S. ships in the Red Sea this spring. Now, members of its crew from that fight will wear Combat Action Ribbons on their uniforms, the Navy announced Tuesday. The crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer were awarded a Unit Combat Action Ribbon Tuesday upon the ship's arrival at Naval Station Rota, Spain. As a result, all members of the crew who were aboard will be authorized to wear the Combat Action Ribbon on their uniforms. Commonly called a CAR, the ribbon can be a major source of pride among servicemembers, especially in an era where deploying to active combat is less likely than in previous decades. Oscar Austin, one of the Navy's newest ships, departed Norfolk, Virginia, Sept. 30, 2024, where it had been homeported since the ship was commissioned in 2000. In October, it pulled into its new home, Naval Station Rota, Spain, where it is now assigned to the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, headquartered at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy. As part of the USS Harry S. Truman strike group, the ship sailed into the Red Sea in April. There, the Austin provided air defense against rockets and missile attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. On April 27, U.S. Central Command announced it had been conducting 'an intense and sustained campaign' targeting the Houthis since mid-March called Operation Rough Rider. Officials said they were 'intentionally' limiting details of the ongoing or future attacks but said they targeted command-and-control facilities, air defense systems, advanced weapons manufacturing facilities and weapons storage facilities with drones, ballistic and cruise missiles. While operating in the Red Sea, sailors were exposed to various airborne threats and 'acted swiftly and professionally,' according to a Navy news release. The crew provided air and missile defense against Houthi attacks on commercial ships transiting international waters. In May, the ship returned to the Eastern Mediterranean. 'Executing multiple missions across two theaters, Oscar Austin displayed the immense versatility of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer: from conducting ballistic missile defense in the eastern Mediterranean Sea to seamlessly integrating with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in the Red Sea,' Cmdr. David Nicolas, who took Command in May said in a release. 'But overall, it was the crew's grit and resiliency that fueled the ship's success throughout the patrol.' Along with earning the ship's combat award, six officers earned Surface Warfare Officer pins, 78 enlisted sailors got Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pins. A Marine Corps reply-all email apocalypse has an incredible real-life ending Army shuts down its sole active-duty information operations command Army plans to close more than 20 base museums in major reduction Former Green Beret nominated to top Pentagon position to oversee special ops The Navy's new recruiting commercial puts the 'dirt wars' in the past
