James B. Bencke

James B. Bencke

Tucson, AZ

James B. Bencke, 77, passed away on November 7 due to injuries suffered from being hit by a car as a pedestrian in Tucson, AZ.

Jim was born to Eldon and Dorothy (Sills) Bencke in Cedar Rapids, IA. He was a 1964 graduate of Marion High School and lived the first five decades of his life in the Marion/Cedar Rapids area. In 1965 he married Connie (Palas) Bencke, and they raised two children. Jim served as president of the Marion Independent School Board, worshipped at Ascension Lutheran Church, and worked for the LeFebure Corporation in Cedar Rapids for nearly 30 years. He spent the final 25 years of his life in both Boston, MA and Las Vegas, NV before settling in Tucson, AZ to be close to his family.

Jim was a handyman, athlete, author, and photographer. His favorite activities included talking with his friends, spoiling his grandkids, and taking his daughter’s cattle dog for long desert hikes. Ebullient, kind, exceptionally resilient, Jim never met a stranger and would always have your back.

Jim was cherished and will be missed by his sister, Dianne Gollrad, of Boston, his son Sean Bencke (Karen Doyle) of St. Paul, MN, daughter Sherri (Henry) Brean and their kids Lilah and George Brean of Tucson, his friend and former wife Connie Bencke of Tucson, and friends the world over.

Jim is being cremated per his wishes. In lieu of flowers, he’d prefer that you treat yourself to something from China Ranch Date Farm, or donations in his honor can be made to Skydog Sanctuary.