US Navy Beach Jumpers Assoc.

Edwin Benjamins, 90, a longtime resident of Las Cruces, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012 at La Posada – Mesilla Valley Hospice of complications following hip surgery. He was born Sept. 17, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Mich. to Leonard and Jennie Ysseldyke Benjamins. Ed completed two years of junior college prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and became a chief radio technician in a special unit called the Beach Jumpers. Following his discharge at the end of World War II, he took advantage of the GI Bill and continued his education at the University of Michigan where he earned his Ph.D in physical chemistry, and where he met and married Ruth, his wife of 63 years. After receiving his degree, Ed worked for E I Dupont in Research and Plants Technical in several locations in the United States and abroad. After retirement Ed and Ruth settled in Las Cruces where he enjoyed golfing, tennis, skiing and many other activities. Ed is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughter, Linda (Randy); grandsons, Chad (Beverly), and Bryan (Jessie); great-granddaughters, Mya and Alexa, as well as extended family, Jennifer (Troy) and children, and Amanda, and special friends, Michael Allen and Deanise Marta. He was preceded in death by a son, Gregg. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 at the Picacho Hills Country Club, 6861 Villa Campestre. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Ed's name to - President Associates, NMSU Foundation Inc, P.O. Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003-3590. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces.

CRM Edwin Benjamins BJU-6 1942-46 d. 9-25-2012 “Fair winds and following seas”

U.S. Navy Beach Jumpers Association (727) 4-USNBJA