David Bridgman Benedict

PORTAGE -- David Bridgman Benedict, 86, a retired teacher who taught for more than 30 years at Wisconsin public schools, died at home on 22 September losing a battle with bone cancer.  

Son of Lorene and Lyle Benedict, born on March 24th 1928, attended kindergarten through college in Platteville, WI.  After earning his Bachelors’ degrees in agriculture and science education from Platteville State College in 1950, teaching 1 year at Fall Creek High School, David was drafted into the military serving during the Korean Conflict as an Army medic, trained and assigned as a dairy, meat and fish inspector.  He met his future wife, June A. Natzke, at the Servicemen’s Club (Chicago) and was wedded in 1952.  Following an Army honorable discharge and master’s degrees attainment in Biology and Agronomy (UW-Madison), David taught Chemistry, Biology, Science, Agronomy, and Algebra at various Wisconsin public schools, settling in Portage where he taught Science, Biology and Drivers’ Education at the High School and Traffic School, Behind the Wheel, Bomb Survival and Radiological Monitoring for Columbia County.

Survivors are his wife, June A. Benedict (Portage); sons, Kevin G. (Platteville), Bryan L., daughter-in-law, Maurena, and three grandchildren (Palos Verdes, CA). David survived his son, Mark W. Benedict (Madison), who died in 2011

Special thanks to Hospice Care for their expertise and care during David’s final months, and the assistance of Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in the final preparations.  The family requests memorials may be donated to Grace Bible Church.  A memorial service followed by a luncheon will be held on Monday, October 13th at Grace Bible Church with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m.