Barb Hill Benson

Barb (Hill) Benson died unexpectedly at her home in Bountiful, Utah, on August 5, 2015. She was born on September 28, 1959, in Battle Creek, Michigan. After graduating from high school in Marshall, Michigan, Barb studied at Central Michigan University, where she met her husband-to-be, Greg Benson, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Barb and Greg were married on August 1, 1981, and their son, Scott, was born in 1986. Family and friends always came first, but she also worked full-time for many years, serving with distinction at the Michigan Senate in Lansing, Michigan; Office of the Mayor in Fort Smith, Arkansas; Westark College in Fort Smith, Arkansas; and College of Eastern Utah in Price, Utah.

Barb was an accomplished musician and performed as a horn player in countless chamber music ensembles, symphony orchestras, and wind bands throughout her school, college, and adult years. She also enjoyed outdoor activities, especially fieldwork in geology and paleontology, and was an active volunteer at the Prehistoric Museum in Price, Utah.

Barb is survived by husband Greg Benson and son Scott Benson of Bountiful, Utah; mother and stepfather Sandra and David Karlson of Michigan; mother-in-law and father-in-law Barbara and Vernon Benson of Michigan; sister Julie (Josh) Nelson of Michigan, brother Brian Hill of Michigan, and sister Saundra Mason of New Jersey; brother-in-law Mark (Beth) Benson of Pennsylvania; many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends; and, the absolute joy of her life, grandson Joshua Scott Benson.

Barb was preceded in death by sister Alison Hill, grandparents Margaret and Philip Hartman, grandfather Willard Scott, stepfather Reginald Kissinger, and father Charles Hill.

Cremation has taken place, and services in memory of Barb will be held in Utah and Michigan in the coming months.

Those who would like to make a memorial donation are invited to contribute to the Barb and Greg Benson scholarship fund at Utah State University Eastern (USU Eastern, c/o Institutional Advancement, 451 East 400 North, Price UT 84501).