Benson Locke Swift

A sweet soul left us on September 28, 2024. Benson Locke Swift was born in Philadelphia on February 26, 1951. He was the only child of Beatrice and William Swift. He spent his childhood living on Naval bases with his parents in Bethesda, Norfolk, and Alameda until the family settled in State College where Ben attended Penn State University. He was a Victorian poetry major who, upon graduation, moved to Hawaii where he worked as a night auditor in a hotel. He continued his career in hotel management, making his way from Hawaii to Washington, DC, before becoming a manager at the Meridian Hotel in New York City. There he met his first wife, Pamela Gustin. Ben and Pam married and, when their first-born daughter was two years old, they moved to Connecticut, where Ben began his career as an independent representative for jet engine tool manufacturers. Two years later, they welcomed their second daughter. Ben loved being a dad and sharing his passions with his girls. Ben and Pam eventually parted ways, and Ben found love again with his second wife, Wendy. After years of partnership, Ben and Wendy married and blended their families as parents of five beautiful daughters. Ben was a devoted parent who volunteered at the Latimer Lane school store, chaperoned the school ski club, coached soccer, and took his daughters on memorable ski trips to Sugarloaf. Ben had a deep and abiding love for his family and animals, as well as a keen sense of social justice. He and Wendy were dog foster parents together for many years. He also was a Board Member of Pathways Togo, and later of PARC, an organization dedicated to providing resources to individuals with developmental disabilities. More recently, he was an activist with Third Act, a community of older adults committed to democracy and environmental protection. He raised bees because he understood their importance to the environment. Ben and Wendy traveled together to Costa Rica, Italy, Ireland, Spain, England, France, Canada, and West Africa. Ben never lost his interest in writing poetry. His hobbies included writing poetry, woodworking, canoeing, fishing, golf, and complex puzzles. He and Wendy played chess every Sunday morning and enjoyed long walks in the woods. He was a devoted Penn State alum who never missed a game if he could help it. His daughters, his stepdaughters, his grandchildren, his dog, and his wife were the world to him. He and Wendy’s happiest years ended suddenly on an otherwise peaceful Saturday morning. He leaves behind his wife Wendy Swift; his daughters Cristina and Stefanie Swift; Stefanie’s husband Noah; his grandson Casey Chasnoff Swift; his stepdaughters Julia McNally, Erika Newland, and Allison Millstein; their respective spouses Charles, Ryan, and Lea; and his grandchildren Charlie McNally, Rosa McNally, Mary Rivka Newland, Abraham Newland, and Harper Millstein Giddins; and his dog Lulu. A celebration of Ben’s life will be held at the Pond House at Elizabeth Park on Tuesday, October 8 from 1:00-4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to World Central Kitchen and World Animal Protection.

Benson Locke Swift

February 26, 1951 - September 28, 2024