Tragic news from SoCal...RIP Donald Benge

[Purple Fencer]

I just got word that long term and worldwide-known SoCal fencer Donald Benge was killed early this morning by a drunk driver...head on collision.

More details as I get them...we're trying to find out now.

[KD5MDK]

That's terrible news.

[fencerbill]

No more calendars I guess. He'll be missed.

[Purple Fencer]

I think I found the CHP accident log for his accident...4:36 am, wrong way driver, head on collision on the freeway...seems to fit.

For those in SoCal, it was on the 134 freeway in Altadena.

damn it.

I'll post memorial info when i get it.

[fatfencer]

Gosh that's crappy.

I've fenced him before. Wouldn't wish such a tragic passing on someone, especially a fencer.

We always joked that Don was older than Methuselah's grandfather.

Let Valhalla's doors open wide
Mead flagons be filled. A warrior cometh.

A place be set for him
Valkyries to serve him

Trumpets sound: 'Non Nobis et Te Deum"

RIP Donald,

Fatfencer

[yeoldearmourer]

We will missed him he was a gentleman always.

[Purple Fencer]

From KNBC


LOS ANGELES -- A 73-year-old man Valencia died Friday in a head-on crash on the eastbound Ventura (134) Freeway in the Eagle Rock area, and the wrong-way driver was in custody on suspicion of drunken driving and vehicular manslaughter, authorities said.

The collision occurred just east of the Glendale (2) Freeway around 4:30 a.m., shutting down all eastbound lanes for several hours, said California Highway Patrol Officer John Seumanutafa.

According to the accident report, patrolling CHP officers spotted the driver of a Honda Element -- a 32-year-old Burbank man -- speeding about 85 mph westbound on the eastbound 134.

The officers, who were eastbound in their patrol car, noticed the approaching vehicle's headlights and swerved to the right to avoid a head-on collision, the report states.

As the wrong-way vehicle passed the patrol car, it collided head-on with a 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier, killing the driver.

The driver of the Honda was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena for treatment of minor injuries and was expected to be booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, Seumanutafa said.

The names of the victim and the arrested driver were not immediately released.

[OROD]

Oh man... it saddens me to hear this. Donald was a good guy and I'll miss walking into Swordplay the few times a year I make it back to L.A. and getting into (the usual) arguments with him over RoW. You know what I'm talking about Sam.

I have to admit that when I saw this thread I was saddened, but I thought he died of something relating to his age. However reading about how he died makes this so much more disturbing. I mean, I've never known anyone that had actually been affected by drunk driving. And, indeed, it could have been any one of us in that car. And, in spite of Donalds age he may have lived for many more years or decades, especially since he was in much better shape than 90% of people his age.

I remember when I started fencing many years ago at Swordplay. Donald was there. During practice at the club, our old Wednesday night tournaments, or any of the local events, Donald was there... kicking butt and taking names. And later when many of the usual suspects moved away or stopped fencing, Donald was still there doing his thing. He was an old-school fencer to be sure, and he didnt want to change. And, why should he?

It's a sad day. Rest in peace Donald, you'll be missed.

.

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!


Purple:

Would it be possible for you to print out the last respects posted in this thread, and have them read at the funeral?


Really awful news.

Peter Gustafsson

[Purple Fencer]

Hi!


Purple:

Would it be possible for you to print out the last respects posted in this thread, and have them read at the funeral?


Really awful news.

Peter Gustafsson

The funeral or the memorial...certainly.

Orod....I know what you mean...but it wasn't the usual arguments....it was always the SAME argument! It was irritating then...I'll miss it now.

[edew]

At least he understood right of way when it came to driving. Stupid drunk drivers...

[Jvanhousen]

Don was an interesting character all right, and dedicated fencer. He fenced in the first tournament I entered, (1974) and he fenced in the last (Atlanta). Our chat in Atlanta was similar to most of the ones we had over the years: usual casual BS, some good jokes, his low opinion of his refs qualifications, and his inquiry as to whether I'd had the opportunity to check out his latest fencing club patch calendar, available for $X.? (He'd quit asking if I'd ever played Conquest, the popular board game that he'd invented, but only after about about 20 years).
His dad made the well respected Benge trumpet and trombone, and Don took over the business after his dad was killed in an automobile accident (!) in front of his house in the early 60's.
I always wanted to ask him some things about his life; like where he got that facial scar that gave him a mysterious look, and how about that story that he was once a murder suspect (girlfreind)?
RIP Don, and Sam, if you have a chance to nab me one of his calenders, I'd like one. Thanks.

[Mergs]

The officers, who were eastbound in their patrol car, noticed the approaching vehicle's headlights and swerved to the right to avoid a head-on collision, the report states.

As the wrong-way vehicle passed the patrol car, it collided head-on with a 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier, killing the driver.

Is not the motto of the police "To Serve and Protect"? I suppose that means to protect themselves and let the jerk go ahead and kill someone else. Yes, I am bitter about this. And I'll leave it at that.

It tore me up to read about this, this morning. I first met Don at the Max Wright Veteran's Tournament in New Orleans ten years ago, and was delighted to have been able to fence him on several occasions at various other venues. Always the gentleman, bathrobe included, and always eager to discuss his calendar, club patches, stamps, coins, and his board game, Don was one person I could count on as a friendly presence at tournaments. I will miss him dearly.

[Cerian]

Wow, he talked to me about his calendar in Atlanta and I heard his death announced at AllCals at UCLA on Saturday, but didn't know that the person I had met was the person who died. Rest in peace.

[fatfencer]

At least he understood right of way when it came to driving. Stupid drunk drivers...

Incidentally that's exactly the metaphor I use to illustrate ROW when explaining to bored parents of intro class kids.

Actually that's how I originally met Donald, was when he walked up to my gal and I and started talking about this calendar thing.

It can't be reiterated enough; it was too soon. My deepest condolences to all at Swordplay and anyone who knew him well.

It's really sad to see old school go out like that.

Fatfencer

[Purple Fencer]

Incidentally that's exactly the metaphor I use to illustrate ROW when explaining to bored parents of intro class kids.

Actually that's how I originally met Donald, was when he walked up to my gal and I and started talking about this calendar thing.

It can't be reiterated enough; it was too soon. My deepest condolences to all at Swordplay and anyone who knew him well.

It's really sad to see old school go out like that.

Fatfencer

Especially since his father went much the same way (hit by a car in front of his house)

[RebelFencer]

I never got to meet him, but I am very sorry for your loss.

[theLuz]

I fenced with Don a hundred years ago. He was memorable. I didn't particularly like him pushing his stupid board game on me, but he didn't deserve this.

Good to know he kept being active in the sport we all love.

[edew]

So with Benge and Appling gone this year, the 70+ crowd in MF (and MS, ME) is getting thin. Hope we get more as the years move on....

[fencerbill]

So with Benge and Appling gone this year, the 70+ crowd in MF (and MS, ME) is getting thin. Hope we get more as the years move on....

In or out?