UPPER BLACK EDDY, PENNSYLVANIA - Paul R. Benner of Upper Black Eddy, PA passed away suddenly on Monday, June 8, 2015, as he and his wife were bicycling in Bucks County. He was 73.
Born in Philadelphia, PA to the late Russell and Eleanor (Tuckmantel) Benner, Paul was a resident of Abington and Finland, PA, before moving to Upper Black Eddy, PA 47 years ago.
A graduate of Central High School Class 212, Paul received a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University where he was a member the swim and crew teams. He earned his M. S. Degree from the University of Pennsylvania while working as an Aeronautical Engineer with the Naval Air Development Center, Warminster, PA. His career with the US Navy spanned 34 years spending the last 5 years working at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River MD. Between July 1994 and October 1996 he was Science Advisor to Commander Naval Air Forces US Atlantic Fleet. Professionally he was 25 year member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Paul served as the church council President with the Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church of Upper Black Eddy, PA where he was an active member for over 40 years. He enjoyed many activities: biking, swimming, canoeing, skiing, scuba diving, sailing, travelling, hiking the high peaks of the Adirondack Mountains and watching all John Wayne movies. One of his retirement bucket list accomplishments included riding his bicycle across the country 4,100 miles in 9 weeks, pulling an airstream across the United States for a 3 month Canada and Alaska expedition, and most recently a 5 week tour of Australia and New Zealand. Paul enjoyed September family trips to the Outer Banks of NC.
He was the beloved husband of 49 years to Jacquelyn (Mariner) Benner, devoted father of Sandra Benner and husband Christian Hill, Eric Benner and wife Rebecca, dear brother of Joan Russell, loving grandfather of Katie and Sydney Hill, Megan and Jake Benner, uncle of Jennifer Detwiler and Lisa Mariner, brother-in-law of Dr. Geoffrey Mariner and wife Rosie, and Dr. Robert Mariner.
A memorial service will be held at the Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church, 188 Upper Tinicum Church Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972 on Saturday, June 13th at 11 am.
Cremation services were private under the direction of the Varcoe-Thomas Funeral Home, 344 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church, PO Box 166, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com
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