Obituary for Walter Benedict | David Lee Funeral Home & Cremation Services
- Date Of Birth: February 17, 1945
- Date Of Death: October 24, 2013
- State: Michigan
Benedict, Jack A much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and colleague who touched all he met with his generous spirit and warmth; Walter “Jack” Benedict left us peacefully on Oct. 24, succumbing to a long and courageous battle against cancer. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945, he was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie and his father, Walter, Jack was a celebrated athlete in high school and college. Offered to join the Boston Red Sox after high school, Jack went on to letter in 3 sports (football, basketball and baseball) at Central Michigan University. While completing his Masters of Business at Central Michigan he played for Grand Rapids Sullivans, semi-pro baseball team, and led them to the National Baseball Congress World Series Championship in 1970 and international championships at Haarlem Baseball Week (Haarlem, Netherlands) in 1969 and 1971. Jack’s career in office furniture sales and distribution began in Detroit with Steelcase. Jack and his family moved to Minnesota in 1978 to work with General Office Products (St. Louis Park). After years with G.O.P. Jack started Parameters (Minneapolis), a Knoll office furniture dealership, which he ran for 25 years before retiring in December, 2012. His company’s success was due to his genuine warmth, friendly spirit and calm demeanor. He made many friends with colleagues and clients alike. Jack continued to love all sports as a spectator and shared his knowledge with his children. He rarely missed the chance to cheer his children as they played both high school and college sports. Recently he loved teaching his grandchildren the fundamentals of sports including skills and sportsmanship. Jack retired in December. His wish was to spend time with Nancy, his wife, his children and grandchildren, and to golf. Jack was an avid golfer and served as a volunteer for the U.S.G.A. working 10 U.S. Open Championships. He and his wife played golf across the world and had plans to play Pebble Beach and in Ireland in their retirement. Most important of all to Jack was his family. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; son, Bryan Benedict (Ellisun); daughter, Amy Edwards (Alex); 4 grandchildren, Colten & Brooklynn Benedict and Paige & Piper Edwards; brother, Thomas Benedict (Brenda); sisters, Rosemary DeJonge (Ronald) and Joyce Graham (Robert); and beloved nieces and nephews.