The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation announces with great sadness the death of Paul G. Benedum, Jr. (1931 -2023)

Known to all as “Benny,” Mr. Benedum was the great nephew of Michael Benedum. He was 92 upon his death and the only lifetime appointed Trustee of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, where he served with distinction for 46 years, leading the Foundation for 22 years as Board Chair (1991-2013).

Benny was the heart and soul of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation acting as family historian, community cheerleader, humble servant, and overall prankster. Benny had an endearing sense of joy, a fashion affinity for bolo ties, and a wonderful sense of humor that had everyone laughing around the board table as he told jokes and slid hilarious one-liners into conversation. During his service to the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Benny often recounted memories of his Uncle Mike and he seemed to know which grants “Uncle Mike would have liked.” The Trustees valued Benny’s seriousness on the investment committee and earnestness when it came to approving grants as he wanted each grant to achieve the highest impact possible.

As his obituary notes, Benny believed that education was the “stepladder” to a better life and his belief was confirmed as he witnessed outcomes during his decades of leadership on the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation board. The C. W. Benedum Foundation legacy influenced Mr. Benedum to form the Paul G. Benedum, Jr. Foundation.

Benny was an accomplished outdoorsman and world traveler with a geology degree from Brown University. He had tremendous insights and wonderful stories to tell making him a favorite person around the dinner table. More than one astonished dinner guest experienced Benny surreptitiously using a retractable fork to steal the juiciest piece of steak off their plate. He was smart, kind, generous, and loads of fun. He will be dearly missed.

The full obituary from his family can be read here.