What an interesting world we live in. Instead of spending time with family and friends reminiscing of his life and what he meant to us face-to-face…we are posting on a website. So many changes. However, I know that God is in control during this difficult time and I have one more angel watching over me and my family. As I have aged a bit, I’ve grown to accept that we show our love for family in different ways. I always knew that Uncle Steve loved me. He showed his love by making sure I had the best dental care in Houston! But even more important (my mom will understand this…), he made sure my sons had the best dental care possible. He came to our house for birthdays, Christmas, and sometimes just because we were all gathering for dinner. When we were together, he always pushed me to think by asking me questions. He asked me my opinion on “hot” topics and truly cared about what I had to say. I can’t post this memory without a quick note about how much he enjoyed kissing my husband! I’m sure that he is still laughing about that! Uncle Steve…Thank you for loving me, my husband, and my boys. This isn’t good bye… It is I’ll see you later. Kimberly
#6On Behalf of Alan,Chagit,Larry,Mark & Roy Croock —
Melissa2020-06-17 07:25
Special Tribute to Dr.Steve Benson,our Devoted, Quintessential Family Dentist:
My wife Chagit & I (Dr.Alan Croock), together with our 3 sons(Larry,Mark & Roy), were so blessed to be under Steve's immaculate care for our entire 24 special years in Houston TX (1989-2013).
We sadly but at the same time warmly reflect on & celebrate Steve as our quintessential,uniquely talented family dentist with truly most exceptional expertise & perfectionist dedication to our wellbeing-not only in routine dentistry but,clearly utilising his gifted engineering prowess,in his phenomenal mechanical lab work.constructing & perfecting the perfect-fit night guards,bite adjustments,outstanding endodontal root canal treatments etc,etc.We fervently believe Steve was equally exceptional in his care of all his patients,the ultimate devoted family dentist if ever there was one :)
Furthermore,& equally significantly,Steve exuded supreme confidence,but NEVER with arrogance,only with an ever-present carefully listening ear,politely evaluating any & every question with his utmost attention & conviction,always laced with gentle humilty & replies covering all bases with his trademark excellence.
Steve at the same time was a special friend to the family,even extending into our past 7 years in Israel after relocating from Houston.Our July 2013 farewell dinner with Steve,Kathleen & Dr.Jaime Vergara,Chagit's outstanding periodontist, is so specially remembered.
Subsequently Steve gladly answered any e-mail questions ,always checking on our family's wellbeing. As we often mentioned to him, our Israeli dentist,& Chagit's periodontist & endodontist have all repeatedly marveled at his exceptionally brilliant work & accomplishments!
Steve's tremendous courage & resilience in fighting his dreaded illness were evident to us even though distanced many thousands of miles away here in Israel.Despite the refractory nature of his galloping lymphoma,Steve clearly never stepped down from the challenge.After sending him an article in May on a just-published limited-success chemotherapy for refractory lymphoma,Steve still took the strength & courage to take my phone-calls & to send me a thank-you e-mail that his Oncology team felt this would not benefit him.He said that he felt he only had a few days left- his assessment was spot-on as always,this time so upsetting to us but clearly a final release for Steve on his terms- what incredible courage,friendship,politeness & perfection even at life's end, summing up Steve's unique blending of these supreme qualities,laced with spiritual acceptance of his terminal illness without any resentment!
As Steve knew,it was our fervent hope that he & Kathleen would visit us in our Miracle Land but G-d we must accept had other plans.We do take comfort that they did visit Israel whilst on a cruise approx.12 yrs ago & briefly experienced together some of the magnificent landscape & unique spirituality of Old Jerusalem,Bethlehem,Sea of Galillee & the Dead Sea, as he most recently reminded me on a phone-call last month.
We always wondered over the years if Steve ever took any time off,vacations etc.,or even slept at night :), as his dedication to his practice & patients appeared boundless & infinite.We took much relief & enjoyment in the latter years that he & Kathleen could sail the seas at leisure away from the everyday bureaucracy of city life:)
Steve will live on forever in our hearts & minds,together of course with his absolutely phenomenal dental achievements every second of every day:)I always saw a close resemblance to the late talented actor Steve McQueen,not just in appearance & first name,but his love for the outdoors & great courage:) I did once quietly mention this to Steve many years back,he smiled & seemed to like the analogy:)
Steve's phenomenal life,joier de vivre & exceptional fortitude will unequivocally & forever serve as a shining beacon of light for all who had the privilege to know him in any capacity.
There is a brief but poignant poem/song that I believe Steve would have really appreciated:
Quote:
I'll Catch the Sun - by Rod McKuen I'll catch the sun and never give it back again. I'll catch the sun and keep it for my own. And in a world where no one understands I'll take my outstretched hand and offer it to anyone.
This video shows Rod singing it at age 77: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhIuB0CNz4
May Steve's memory always be for a special blessing!
All our love & gratitude, Alan,Chagit,Larry,Mark & Roy Croock
#5Pictures in Video Format —
Julie Benson Matthews2020-06-17 03:02
Daughter Kim, Joe and I spent hours searching through boxes and boxes of pictures. We found some to share so Kim made a couple of videos, added music and tried to post them on this site. There is a way but we could not find it. After giving up on posting videos here, we put them on YouTube. To see them, you will need to copy the link to your browser. The second contains pictures of his childhood. The first contains pictures of grown up Steve, most with family and friends.
https://youtu.be/FZH3YRg5oWw
https://youtu.be/3m3I0YDFGkY
#4For Your Listening Pleasure —
Julie Benson Matthews2020-06-16 15:08
Steve's message to his brother in law, my husband Joe: This was recorded in 1962 when we made a family tape. We sent it to Joe when he was in the navy and his ship was in Japan. Steve was always clever and creative and his singing voice wasn't so bad. Keep in mind this recording has been moved from reel to reel tape to cassette tape to DVD and was first done 58 years ago. It was recently edited by our son to play only Steve's recording. This is a you tube link that you will need to copy and paste in your browser.
https://youtu.be/OJ8kub95JNw
#3Thank God I Had The Best Bubba Ever! —
Julie Benson Matthews2020-06-16 14:35
Steve was my big brother, about 2 1/2 years older. There were just the two of us to join forces against our parents as we grew up. In the early years we did a good job of fighting over little stuff. He found very creative ways to torment me. These three became fun family stories to remember, re-tell and laugh about over the years.
I opened the door to come out of the bathroom to find a large (dead) spider in my face. It was hanging from a string and I didn’t know it was dead. I can’t remember how long I stayed in the bathroom, screaming at him (and probably crying) while he laughed on the other side of the door. It was more than a couple of minutes.
“Julie got a bra, Julie got a bra”. He thought announcing that to the neighborhood was so funny. When mom got home, of course I tattled and kept asking what she was going to do to him. She told him to get my bra, put it on and she was taking him to the junior high to run around the track wearing it. He was horrified so I begged her not to do anything that bad to him. I think my pleading on his behalf helped him decide I wasn’t so bad after all. She didn’t make him do it, the threat was his punishment.
My favorite memory of him getting what he deserved: He laughed and made fun of me for hitting a golf ball a very short distance when we were at a putting green. He stepped up, made an educated swing and missed the ball entirely. He was showered with family laughter. That was probably the day he decided to develop his golfing skills. He continued to love the game and played as long as it was possible.
As we got older, we discovered we had become friends. We watched our children grow to be adults. He took care of our family dental needs, with patience, generosity and love. We celebrated some birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. We went on Benson family reunion cruises. We traveled parts of the US and cruised lots of the world together. At some point, he began to announce himself as my Bubba when he called.
I recently read the page I wrote in the back of the annual for his senior year at our High School. I said I would miss him when he left for Texas Tech, told him how proud I was of him and wrote other nice things a sister would write. I signed off with “All my love, admiration and affection always, Julie” Today, I will add “I will see you again, and we will spend eternity praising our God”
#2Gentle on My Mind —
Richard Allen2020-06-15 20:28
When 100 of us showed up on John Freeman Avenue in August of 1965 to begin our 4 years together at the University of Texas Dental Branch, I had no idea what to expect. There was lots of uncertainty, lots of getting acquainted, and as time went by, lots of challenges. During this journey, there was a fellow across the hall from me who never stopped smiling. The pressure, the unknowns, the sometimes hectic pace never seemed to affect him much. He was like this for 4 years, and around me, for all the years since then.
Life's struggles are always made easier by friends who are upbeat, unassuming, and genuinely kind. I never saw Steve Benson any other way. On the morning after he passed away, I was in my car headed to HEB. There was a song on the radio that was popular back when we were in Dental School - it was Glen Campbell's "Gentle on My Mind." Every time I have talked to or seen Steve Benson over the past 50+ years, he has always evoked that feeling from me. A kinder, nicer person would be hard to find. Our times together will always be "gentle on my mind." I am grateful God caused our paths to cross in this life; he's been one of God's many blessings to me. And happily Kathleen came into his life. She gave him great joy and comfort.
Richard Allen
#1Dad found the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) —
Melissa2020-06-11 11:20
My dad returned to his Catholic beginnings and acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. As such, in his final days, he faced eternity with peace and confidence. Throughout my life, dad asked questions about God, Jesus, and the Bible, and thus caused me to search for answers and strengthen my faith. I will forever be grateful for my dad's inquisitive and analytical mind. I praise God that his mind was razor sharp until the end. I asked dad what he would ask Jesus when he finally met Him. Dad said Jesus would tell him whatever he needed to know, and that it was going to be a place he couldn't even fathom. Amen! Due to circumstances, I was 2400 miles away and unable to be by his side, but our Sovereign Lord still joined us together because, at the time of his passing, the Lord prompted me to pray for him. Now, I turn my prayers to all those who knew him and loved him. May you also know our Savior, His peace, and find answers to your questions in His Word.
Light a Candle
Comments
As I have aged a bit, I’ve grown to accept that we show our love for family in different ways. I always knew that Uncle Steve loved me. He showed his love by making sure I had the best dental care in Houston! But even more important (my mom will understand this…), he made sure my sons had the best dental care possible. He came to our house for birthdays, Christmas, and sometimes just because we were all gathering for dinner. When we were together, he always pushed me to think by asking me questions. He asked me my opinion on “hot” topics and truly cared about what I had to say.
I can’t post this memory without a quick note about how much he enjoyed kissing my husband! I’m sure that he is still laughing about that! Uncle Steve…Thank you for loving me, my husband, and my boys. This isn’t good bye… It is I’ll see you later.
Kimberly
My wife Chagit & I (Dr.Alan Croock), together with our 3 sons(Larry,Mark & Roy), were so blessed to be under Steve's immaculate care for our entire 24 special years in Houston TX (1989-2013).
We sadly but at the same time warmly reflect on & celebrate Steve as our quintessential, uniquely talented family dentist with truly most exceptional expertise & perfectionist dedication to our wellbeing-not only in routine dentistry but,clearly utilising his gifted engineering prowess,in his phenomenal mechanical lab work.constructi ng & perfecting the perfect-fit night guards,bite adjustments,out standing endodontal root canal treatments etc,etc.We fervently believe Steve was equally exceptional in his care of all his patients,the ultimate devoted family dentist if ever there was one :)
Furthermore,& equally significantly,S teve exuded supreme confidence,but NEVER with arrogance,only with an ever-present carefully listening ear,politely evaluating any & every question with his utmost attention & conviction,alwa ys laced with gentle humilty & replies covering all bases with his trademark excellence.
Steve at the same time was a special friend to the family,even extending into our past 7 years in Israel after relocating from Houston.Our July 2013 farewell dinner with Steve,Kathleen & Dr.Jaime Vergara,Chagit' s outstanding periodontist, is so specially remembered.
Subsequently Steve gladly answered any e-mail questions ,always checking on our family's wellbeing. As we often mentioned to him, our Israeli dentist,& Chagit's periodontist & endodontist have all repeatedly marveled at his exceptionally brilliant work & accomplishments!
Steve's tremendous courage & resilience in fighting his dreaded illness were evident to us even though distanced many thousands of miles away here in Israel.Despite the refractory nature of his galloping lymphoma,Steve clearly never stepped down from the challenge.After sending him an article in May on a just-published limited-success chemotherapy for refractory lymphoma,Steve still took the strength & courage to take my phone-calls & to send me a thank-you e-mail that his Oncology team felt this would not benefit him.He said that he felt he only had a few days left- his assessment was spot-on as always,this time so upsetting to us but clearly a final release for Steve on his terms- what incredible courage,friends hip,politeness & perfection even at life's end, summing up Steve's unique blending of these supreme qualities,laced with spiritual acceptance of his terminal illness without any resentment!
As Steve knew,it was our fervent hope that he & Kathleen would visit us in our Miracle Land but G-d we must accept had other plans.We do take comfort that they did visit Israel whilst on a cruise approx.12 yrs ago & briefly experienced together some of the magnificent landscape & unique spirituality of Old Jerusalem,Bethl ehem,Sea of Galillee & the Dead Sea, as he most recently reminded me on a phone-call last month.
We always wondered over the years if Steve ever took any time off,vacations etc.,or even slept at night :), as his dedication to his practice & patients appeared boundless & infinite.We took much relief & enjoyment in the latter years that he & Kathleen could sail the seas at leisure away from the everyday bureaucracy of city life:)
Steve will live on forever in our hearts & minds,together of course with his absolutely phenomenal dental achievements every second of every day:)I always saw a close resemblance to the late talented actor Steve McQueen,not just in appearance & first name,but his love for the outdoors & great courage:) I did once quietly mention this to Steve many years back,he smiled & seemed to like the analogy:)
Steve's phenomenal life,joier de vivre & exceptional fortitude will unequivocally & forever serve as a shining beacon of light for all who had the privilege to know him in any capacity.
There is a brief but poignant poem/song that I believe Steve would have really appreciated:
Quote:This video shows Rod singing it at age 77: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhIuB0CNz4
May Steve's memory always be for a special blessing!
All our love & gratitude,
Alan,Chagit,Larry,Mark & Roy Croock
https://youtu.be/FZH3YRg5oWw
https://youtu.be/3m3I0YDFGkY
https://youtu.be/OJ8kub95JNw
I opened the door to come out of the bathroom to find a large (dead) spider in my face. It was hanging from a string and I didn’t know it was dead. I can’t remember how long I stayed in the bathroom, screaming at him (and probably crying) while he laughed on the other side of the door. It was more than a couple of minutes.
“Julie got a bra, Julie got a bra”. He thought announcing that to the neighborhood was so funny. When mom got home, of course I tattled and kept asking what she was going to do to him. She told him to get my bra, put it on and she was taking him to the junior high to run around the track wearing it. He was horrified so I begged her not to do anything that bad to him. I think my pleading on his behalf helped him decide I wasn’t so bad after all. She didn’t make him do it, the threat was his punishment.
My favorite memory of him getting what he deserved: He laughed and made fun of me for hitting a golf ball a very short distance when we were at a putting green. He stepped up, made an educated swing and missed the ball entirely. He was showered with family laughter. That was probably the day he decided to develop his golfing skills. He continued to love the game and played as long as it was possible.
As we got older, we discovered we had become friends. We watched our children grow to be adults. He took care of our family dental needs, with patience, generosity and love. We celebrated some birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. We went on Benson family reunion cruises. We traveled parts of the US and cruised lots of the world together. At some point, he began to announce himself as my Bubba when he called.
I recently read the page I wrote in the back of the annual for his senior year at our High School. I said I would miss him when he left for Texas Tech, told him how proud I was of him and wrote other nice things a sister would write. I signed off with “All my love, admiration and affection always, Julie” Today, I will add “I will see you again, and we will spend eternity praising our God”
Life's struggles are always made easier by friends who are upbeat, unassuming, and genuinely kind. I never saw Steve Benson any other way. On the morning after he passed away, I was in my car headed to HEB. There was a song on the radio that was popular back when we were in Dental School - it was Glen Campbell's "Gentle on My Mind." Every time I have talked to or seen Steve Benson over the past 50+ years, he has always evoked that feeling from me. A kinder, nicer person would be hard to find. Our times together will always be "gentle on my mind." I am grateful God caused our paths to cross in this life; he's been one of God's many blessings to me. And happily Kathleen came into his life. She gave him great joy and comfort.
Richard Allen