ROGER JOHN BENJAMIN, M.D. died peacefully on January 19, 2024. He was 89.

Roger was born on November 12, 1934 in Pipestone, Minnesota, the son of Walter G. Benjamin, M.D. and Mabel B. Benjamin. He was a 1952 graduate of Pipestone High School, a 1956 graduate of Hamline University and a 1960 graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School. Roger married his college sweetheart Nancy Jo Wenger in 1957 and they started a family.

Shortly into his medical

expertise setting broken legs of trainee paratroopers. He later joined the rapidly expanding Peace Corps, which briefly stationed the family in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Africa. The Benjamins settled permanently in Owatonna, where Roger practiced medicine and Nancy was mother to their five children.

For 25 years, Roger performed general surgery at the Owatonna City Hospital, treated patients at his Oak Street office and responded to emergency calls at all hours, much like his father in Pipestone. He was a perfectionist at the operating table, but appreciated a good joke to lighten the mood. He checked in on hospitalized patients on the way to church on Sundays and often saw them around town following recovery. One would occasionally call out “hey doc” and show him how their incision was healing, which he genuinely appreciated.

Roger served as both Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at the Owatonna City Hospital, Endowment Fund President, Foundation President at the Owatonna Arts Center, and Chair of Trustees, Head Usher and Sunday School teacher at the United Methodist Church. He sang baritone in the Wenger Singers and played Baritone horn in the Hungry Five. His annual talk at the Owatonna Scuba Diving Club illustrated the dangers of the bends with a dramatic seltzer water demonstration.

Roger loved the outdoors. In his youth, he enjoyed tennis, waterskiing, and entertaining audiences as a clown diver. He later earned his private pilot license, developed his own photographs, and learned to ski and scuba dive with his kids. Roger especially enjoyed hunting and fishing expeditions, deftly cleaning all manner of beast, fish and fowl, while helping others learn to do the same. Evening card games were a life-long favorite, and he was a formidable but friendly opponent.

Roger and Nancy were enthusiastic travelers in their retirement, visiting destinations across the United States and around the world. They were particularly fond of ancient Greek history, returning to the Mediterranean many times. They enjoyed long summers at their island cabin near Ely, MN, and annual winter trips to the Bahamas, often in the company of family and friends.

Roger is survived by children Brent R. Benjamin, Brian J. Benjamin (Dawn M. Loven), Ann K. Benjamin, Todd B. Benjamin, and Jeff W. Benjamin (Ann S. Hobbie); grandchildren Henry H. Benjamin and William W. Benjamin, sister Mary Louise Bowen (Dale) and many beloved nieces and nephews. Roger was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Nancy W. Benjamin, brother Robert B. Benjamin (Betty), brother Richard G. Benjamin and sister Martha J. Unke (Willis); his brother Walter W. Benjamin (Marjorie) died on March 22.

A service celebrating Roger’s life will be held at the United Methodist Church in Owatonna, Minnesota, on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 1:00 pm. An extended organ prelude will begin at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Owatonna Arts Center, the United Methodist Church of Owatonna, or the Owatonna Foundation. Arrangements by Michaelson Funeral Home.