Robert Edward Benjamin

Robert Edward Benjamin, “Bob,” passed away peacefully on December 29, 2017, surrounded by family, in Petoskey, Michigan.  Bob was born on January 14, 1923 on Mackinac Island, Michigan to Herbert Edwin Benjamin and Mary Foley Benjamin.  Bob spent his childhood on the island with his sister Dorothy Jean Zack and graduated from Petoskey High School in 1941.   

Bob attended the New York Institute of Photography in New York City and put his skills to use as an Army photographer in World War II.  After the war, he enrolled at Michigan State College and received his BA in Art Education in 1949.  On December 27, 1953, Bob married Beverly Jean Hamilton in Coleman, MI.  Bob received his MA in Education from Wayne State University in 1959, and worked as an art teacher in the Farmington Michigan Public Schools for 33 years. He also helped create the Farmington Arts Council and the Livingston Oakland County (LOC) Federal Credit Union.

Bob opened his first store on Mackinac Island in 1950, as a Kodak film franchise.  He published three books about Mackinac, including a walking history published in 1951, and his last, “Mackinac Album,” showcasing his collection of personal and historical photos, published in 2008.  His photos were often seen in the local Mackinac Island Town Crier newspaper.

Upon his father Herbert’s death, Bob and sister Dorothy donated their father’s blacksmith shop to the Mackinac Island State Park, where it continues to operate as a working program as part of the Mackinac Island State Park Historical Tour. 

Bob’s grandmother was a founding member of the Little Stone Church on Mackinac in 1904, where Bob served as both treasurer and moderator for over 40 years.  Bob was a quiet, humble and compassionate man throughout his life, as evidenced by his devotion to family and church.

Bob is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Petoskey and Mackinac Island; and his three children, Thomas Robert Benjamin (Mary) of Farmington Hills, MI; Michael Herbert Benjamin (Beth) of Dover, MA; and Jane Marie Benjamin Young (Glen) of Petoskey and Mackinac Island.  He is survived by eight grandchildren: Miles, Libby Benjamin Gunderson (Brooks), Audrey, Robert II, Graham, Samuel, Emily, and Laurel.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister.   

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Little Stone Church on Mackinac Island.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Little Stone Church, P.O. Box 513, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, or the Mackinac Island Medical Center Fund, through the Mackinac Island Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1933, Mackinac Island, MI 49757. 

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