Howard William Benischek

BENISCHEK, HOWARD WILLIAM Howard William Benischek, often called �Benny�, passed away on July 29, 2014 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born on April 4, 1915 in Oxford Junction, Iowa to Frances Dusanek and Fred Benischek. They moved to Albuquerque because his mother had tuberculosis and his father worked as a machinist for the Santa Fe Railroad. Howard graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1933, where he was drum major of the marching band and assisted with the running of movie equipment at the Kimo Theatre while in high school. He continued his education at The University of New Mexico, receiving a mechanical engineering degree in 1937. During college he worked in the J. Korber Co. parts dept in downtown Albuquerque. He married the UNM Engineering Queen, Louise Smith, from Hobbs, NM in 1938. Mr. Benischek was employed by two major U.S. oil companies, The Texas Company and Shell, as a petroleum engineer in exploration and production, living in California, Texas, and New Mexico. During World War II, he was an equipment manufacturing engineer for Convair Aircraft in Ft. Worth, TX. In 1947, he accepted an assistant professor position in the School of Petroleum Engineering at The University of Oklahoma in Norman, where he subsequently served as chairman of the department and stayed until 1954. During his tenure at OU, he and Louise attended all of the winning streak games of football legend Bud Wilkinson. His love for Sooner football continued throughout his lifetime. His wife�s health with rheumatoid arthritis deteriorated and a move west to a different climate was required. He accepted a visiting professorship in petroleum engineering at Texas Tech University from 1954-55, his wife�s alma mater. As Louise�s health continued to improve, a decision was made to move to Albuquerque in Sept. 1955. For the next 15 years, Howard was employed by Sandia National Laboratories (aka Sandia Corporation) in various positions, including college recruiting of engineering graduates at various universities, acquisition of timing devices for weapons, and assessment and purchasing of mainframe computer systems. Upon retiring from Sandia in 1970, he formed his own company, Benischek Properties LLC, which involves mineral interests in oil, gas, and coal in several states. Howard was a member of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) and was actively involved in his company until the time of his death. Mr. Benischek was preceded in death by his wife Louise in 1983 and a brother in Tijeras, NM, Victor Benischek in 2005. He is survived by his daughters, Dr. Sheri Benischek of Albuquerque and Rita Benischek of Oklahoma City, OK, granddaughter Sandra Harrison and her husband Richard of Oklahoma City, OK, and his great grandson Ford Harrison. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Charlotte Benischek of Santa Fe, niece Ellen Benischek of Albuquerque, and two nieces, Carolynn Henry and Angie Stroup, and their families in Las Cruces, NM. He was a lifelong member of numerous technical, professional, and honorary organizations, both national and state. On January 17, 2007 he received a 70-year membership award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Mr. Benischek was a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers for more than 50 years as well as a charter member of the Albuquerque Petroleum Club and the Albuquerque Petroleum Association. As a member of BPO Elks #461, he often ate with many long-standing friends, including the POETS group on Friday at noon. Mr. Benischek had traveled to various parts of Europe, including Vienna, Austria where his father�s ancestors originated and his dream was to return there for visits. For rest and relaxation, Howard enjoyed being at his vacation home in Red River, NM since 1993, where he was always repairing various things with his wonderful mechanical skills. He restored two 1967 Ford Mustangs in later years and cherished all of his cars throughout the earlier years. A private memorial interment has taken place at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque. Contributions may be made to the ABQ Wheels Museum, the UNM Foundation, the Elks National Foundation, ABQ Meals on Wheels, or a charity of your choice. Daniels Family Funeral Services-Carlisle Chapel was in charge.