David Benz Obituary
David M. Benz, age 76, of Fleetwood, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024, in the Lebanon VA Medical Center, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hospice. He departed peacefully and with family by his side in his final moments. Born in West Reading, Dave was the son of the late Thomas E. Benz and Julia L. (nee Szoke) Benz. Dave graduated from Fleetwood Area High School in 1967. He studied at Kutztown State College and Alvernia College after serving in the military for three years and working various jobs. Dave enlisted in the United States Army in February 1968, and he honorably served his country through February 1971. He was assigned to the 9th Support Battalion, 198th Light Infantry Brigade – stationed in Vietnam from August 1968 to August 1969. Dave was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in Vietnam. Dave worked at Chit Chat Farms / Richard J. Caron Foundation (Wernersville and Westfield locations) from 1980 to 1993, primarily as an inpatient drug & alcohol therapist. Thereafter, he was employed as an addictions counselor by several drug and alcohol rehabilitation/treatment organizations, shifting his focus to the outpatient setting. After seventeen years in the field, Dave retired from this line of work in 1997. He then went on to work at Moselem Springs Golf Club and Cabelas until retiring in full. People knew Dave Benz as a happy, funny, kind, and charming man – greeting you with an infectious smile and a disarming personality. His senior yearbook notes that he was a fun-loving fellow; a sharp dresser; that his favorites included sports, cars, and travel; and that his favorite saying was, Alls fair in love and war. He sure loved his country, and his passion for the United States of America was lifelong. Dave enjoyed fishing & hunting, golf, his moms cooking (like her famous Hungarian goulash), mellow classic rock music, and high school basketball & soccer. It comes as no surprise that he was overjoyed and so proud when two of his children helped bring home state championship titles (Elkland basketball 1996 and Tulpehocken soccer 2001). Even long after his kids graduated, he would still travel around the state to watch the best of high school basketball and soccer, and you could bet he knew the teams to watch each season. He liked taking road trips, especially to Tioga County and Tennessee to visit family, and the occasional trips to Canada for good fishing. Dave, a loving son, father, & grandfather, and a loyal friend, was fiercely dedicated to his family, friends, and AA. He would give all he could to help someone in need. One of his greatest accomplishments was reaching his 45-year anniversary of being clean & sober . . . Dave was a true example of how to stay the course in recovery, and he helped so many people along their paths to sobriety. His life was inspiring, faithful, and one worth celebrating. Dave is survived by daughter, Carolyn N. Benz, wife of Raymond H. Neider, III, Wyomissing; son, Thomas M. Benz, husband of Jenna M. (nee Baker) Benz, Chapel Hill, TN; five grandchildren: Julia Neider, Harrison Neider, Grayden Benz, Asher Benz, and Elliott Benz; and brother, Seth Benz, husband of Susan Burwell, Belfast, ME. Dave had also been a stepfather for a period of his life to Bobbie Jo (nee Boltz) Yoder, William J. Boltz, Jr., and Bryan R. Fisher – they also survive. In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by daughter, Melanie L. Benz. A committal service with military honors will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. Contributions in Davids memory may be made to the Lebanon VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs. Checks should be payable to VA Lebanon Healthcare System (memo note – David Benz) and mailed to the following address: VA Lebanon Healthcare System Center for Development and Community Engagement 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Building 18 Lebanon, PA 17042 Mail Code 10V The Mae A. Stump Funeral Home, Inc., Fleetwood, is in charge of arrangements.
