Sam R Benningfield

Benningfield, Jr. Sam R. Benningfield, Jr., died Monday, May 16, 2016, in OSU's Medical Intensive Care Unit of respiratory and heart failure after a long and courageous struggle with COPD. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen of Beechwold; beloved nephew, Christopher (Margaret) Donner, Ph.D., Chicago, IL, of whom Sam was justifiably proud; brother-in-law, John (Barbara) Showalter, Upper Arlington, OH; and close extended family members, Keith and Jean Countryman, Salem, OH, and Jane Robins, Buckeye Lake, OH. Sam is pre-deceased by his foster parents Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Kinkay of Indian Hills, OH. Born April 20, 1937 in St. Petersburg, FL, Sam last month celebrated his 79th birthday. He grew up in Cincinnati, attended Western Reserve (now Case Western) University and spent three years with the U.S. Air Force, stationed at the 47th TAC Hospital, McGuire AFB in New Jersey. Sam was a medical service specialist and completed a tour in Europe. (He liked to say that he "kept the country at peace" in the mid-'50s). He was honorably discharged in June, 1958. Sam began his professional career as an intern with the Associated Press in San Francisco. Early in 1962, he moved to the Los Angeles area and went to work as a photo-journalist with the Baum-Fleetwood-McRae chain of suburban newspapers, where he met his wife, Karen, then editor of the Montebello News semi-weekly. They were married December 29, 1962 in Mt. Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh. After buying a home in Whittier, CAÂ¸ with a growing animal menagerie, Sam joined Pendleton Tools as assistant advertising manager, learning the business from the ground up. Moving back East in 1967 to be closer to Karen's family in Pittsburgh, Sam spent several years as an account executive with the Ira Thomas advertising agency in Youngstown, and then joined Joseph Gapstur & Co. in Ashland, handling a diverse portfolio of industrial and manufacturing accounts in Ohio and Michigan. After Karen became public information director for Columbus Mayor M. E. Sensenbrenner in 1971, the couple moved to Upper Arlington and Sam continued to commute for several years. In the mid-'70s, Sam was hired as advertising account manager by B. A. Graphics, Inc. in Columbus, working with a division of the Borden company and other local businesses. He and Karen launched their own marketing, communications and fund-raising firm, Mid-America Communications, Inc., in 1984 and maintained an office on S. Fourth St. in Columbus for nearly ten years. They represented clients such as United Commercial Travelers (UCT), the Athletic Club of Columbus, OCSEA (Ohio Civil Service Employees Association), the King Arts Complex, the Development Committee for Greater Columbus, and also managed signature nonprofit fund-raising events such as the Celebrity Waiters Luncheon benefiting Recreation Unlimited. An adventurous, independent and fearless promoter, Sam organized the first Junior Golf Tournament for UCT's national convention in Philadelphia, and directed a film for them featuring the national Special Olympics event in South Bend, IN. Perceiving a need to showcase Columbus, Sam initiated, raised sponsor dollars, and organized a luncheon for the national Press Corps accompanying President Ronald Reagan on a trip to Columbus. A very generous and giving man, Sam donated his time for several years to cook Thanksgiving turkeys for guests at Ronald McDonald House, and then coordinated a benefit fund-raiser for the charity - the first ever held in the Statehouse Atrium - featuring celebrity hosts Ohio Gov. George and Janet Voinovich. Even though he was a lifelong Republican, Sam also was a supporter of several Democrat office holders, including close friends James A. Roseboro, Columbus City Councilman, and Dr. John Rosemond, a mayoral candidate. He was close to Gertrude Donahey, the first woman in Ohio to serve as State Treasurer. At Mrs. Donahey's request, Sam took on the challenging political job of managing Mary Ellen Withrow's primary campaign for the Democratic nomination to succeed Mrs. Donahey. Competing against six male candidates, all better known and better funded, Sam traveled the state with Mrs. Withrow, secured support from the Teamsters' union in Cleveland and newspaper editorial boards across the state, and developed a strategy that led to her successful primary victory. She ultimately became the U.S. Treasurer. Sam semi-retired in 1991 after an auto accident left him with a chronic spine injury, serving as a marketing consultant. From 1996 to 1998, he served as primary caregiver for his elderly in-laws, Mel and Olivia Maegerlein, enabling them to live out the remainder of their lives in their Columbus condominium. An avid reader of history, biographies and political nonfiction, Sam was a "news junkie," scanning up to five newspapers daily. A true "renaissance man," he also loved gardening, the Cincinnati Reds, antique shopping, art, boating, water-skiing¸ cooking, classical music and his pet cats and dogs. Sam collected political cartoons, books, clocks, fountain pens and stamps. Although he was a confirmed "techno-phobe" and refused to use either a computer or a cell phone, he was an "old school" dedicated letter and note writer, and a witty wordsmith who composed on an IBM Selectric typewriter. In 2005, he was diagnosed with COPD, and battled lung disease for more than 10 years. A strong and stubborn "fighter," he confounded his pulmonary professionals with his strong will to live and amazing ability to "bounce back" from respiratory distress - even recovering after a seven-day stay in hospice in 2014. Special thanks to his longtime medical team of Dr. Mary Jo Welker, OSU family practice; OSU pulmonary physician, Dr. Phil Diaz, OSU cardiology specialist, Dr. Ted Fraker and the caring staff of Mayfair Village. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made either to Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., Columbus, OH 43212, to the Open Shelter, 370 W. State St., Columbus, OH 43215, or to any charity of your choosing. A celebration of Sam's life will be held on June 12, 2016 at 2 p.m. at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 HIGH ST, WORTHINGTON, OH 43085. Online remembrances and tributes may be made at WWW.RUTHERFORDFUNERALHOME.COM

Sam R Benningfield

April 20, 1937 - May 16, 2016