Robert Benson age 90, of Mitchell died Monday, September 19, 2011 at his home of natural causes. Graveside services will be 11:30AM Monday, September 26 at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell with military honors. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM Sunday at the Will Funeral Chapel with prayer service beginning at 5:00 PM Robert Benson, with twin sister Ruth, was born near Fulton, South Dakota, on December 23, 1920, to Fobian and Birdie (Martin) Benson, and died of natural causes at his residence on September 19, 2011. Mr. Benson attended rural Fulton schools and graduated from Fulton High School in 1938. He entered the US Army in November 1940. His unit, the 147th Field Artillery Regiment of the South Dakota National Guard, trained at Fort Ord, California. The 147th was on the high seas west of Hawaii en route to the Philippine Islands at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. He served under Australian command at Darwin, Australia, and then with General Douglas MacArthur's forces in Australia, New Guinea, and New Britain. In 1944 his Battalion was renamed the 260th Field Artillery, and he served with that unit until it was deactivated. He was discharged August 7, 1945, having served three years and eight months of uninterrupted overseas service. Robert married Ruth Franks of Alexandria on April 25, 1948, at Alexandria. They farmed in the Fulton area for many years. He became a Rural Letter Carrier in 1961, serving for 16 years at Fulton and 4 years on Route 2, Parkston. He and Ruth lived for 43 years on the old John Benson farm northwest of Fulton before moving to Mitchell in 1996. Ruth preceded him in death on February 5, 2009. He was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years and served on the Hanson township school board. He was also a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association for 50 years. For over 30 years he was active in the restoration of antique automobiles, and was a member of the Antique Auto Club of America, the Model A and Model T Ford Clubs of America, and the Dodge Brothers Club. One of his restorations, a 1916 Dodge Touring, was selected and driven as one of the cars representing the year 1916 in the Centennial Parade of the Automobile, held at Dearborn, Michigan in 1996. Robert is survived by four children, Ann Pietz (Calvin), Mitchell, Nancy Brosz (Dan), Grand Island, NE, Shirley Allen, Coon Rapids, MN and Charles (JoElle), Sioux Falls; eleven grandchildren, Sara Pietz, Sioux Falls, Dr. Susan Pietz Coats (John), Brookings, Robert Pietz (Samantha), Sioux Falls, Dr. Adam (Shannon) Brosz, Grand Island, NE, Erin Brosz Byrd (Ryan), Omaha, NE, Chris Allen, Coon Rapids, MN, Kevin Allen, Big Lake, MN, Austin, Ellie, Cole and Seth Benson, Sioux Falls; one great grandson, Kaleb Brosz, Grand Island, NE; two great granddaughters, Lauren Brosz, Grand Island, NE and Emma Byrd, Omaha, NE; and one step great granddaughter, Kimberly Coats, Pierre. He is also survived by several sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his three sisters, Ruby Freng, Roberta Hanson and twin sister, Ruth Martinsen (deceased 07/10/2011).