Dr. Walter "Wally" A. Benson

Dr. Walter “Wally” A. Benson, 78, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after an extended illness. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Steven Knudson will officiate. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Susan; three grandchildren, Brendan and Joanna Gail and Gunner Emery, all of Poway, Calif.; two brothers, Rollin (Leigh) of Mequon, Wis., and Edgar (Martha) of Highland Ranch, Calif.; brother-in-law, James (Ruth) Chipokas of Cedar Rapids; nephews and nieces, Mark and Scott Chipokas, Joanna (Alex) Ringsby, Dayn, Andy, Thor, Charley, Sonya and William Benson; and sister-in-law, Carol Chipokas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kathy Emery; son-in-law, Josh Emery; and brother-in-law, Dean Chipokas.

Wally was born May 12, 1934, in Highland Park, Ill., the son of Edgar and Adaline (Olson) Benson. He received a football scholarship from the University of Iowa, where he completed his undergraduate degree and later received his D.D.S. degree. He started his dental practice in Cedar Rapids in 1965 and retired in 2002.

Wally was a member of First Lutheran Church, Phi Gamma Delta, the Linn County Dental Society, and was a past president of the Cedar Rapids Country Club.

He enjoyed playing golf and had a real passion for fishing. Wally was the CRCC Club Champion 13 times.

He will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, friend and a true gentleman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Cedar Rapids Community Free Dental Clinic, Hospice House of Mercy or the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in memory of his beloved daughter, Kathryn Emery.

“The family would like to thank Dr. Melanie Stahlberg and her staff, and the staff at the Hospice House of Mercy for their compassion.”

Please leave a message or tribute to the Benson family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published Feb. 22, 2013 in The Gazette