On Thursday, April 13, Don Benscoter passed away of natural causes at Life Care Center in Lewiston.

Don grew up on the family farm on American Ridge. He was born to Frankie and Jo (Guy) Benscoter on Jan. 27, 1921. He attended grade school at the American Ridge School and graduated from Kendrick High School with the class of 1938. He then attended one year at the University of Idaho before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Sept. 30, 1942. Eager to enlist, but not meeting the weight requirements, Don ate a bunch of bananas just prior to his physical. This one meal moved the needle just enough to allow him to "sign up."

He was not called into active service until Feb. 17, 1943. Don served his country as a technical sergeant, flying in a B-17 "Flying Fortress" as a flight engineer and top turret gunner, and he was awarded an Air Medal with Five Oak Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal and the European-African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was a member of the 34th bombardment group, which was responsible for bombing Nazi war-making installations, including Messerschmitt plants at Regensburg, Germany. During the war he survived yellow fever, cholera and an amazing 34 missions over Germany. He was discharged Sept. 8, 1945.

Upon returning home, he continued his education at the University of Idaho. It was during this year that he met Barbara Garner, who was also a student at UI. They were married in September of 1947 and lived off campus until Don graduated with a degree in agriculture science in 1948.

His first job was with the Soil Conservation Service in Genesee. From there, he worked for Lewiston Grain Growers at Cottonwood, then McCall Farm Chemicals. Eventually he went to work for Benedict Seeds at Winchester. In 1958, Benedict built a feed and seed plant in Lewiston and he and his family moved there. Don was the general manager of Benedict Seeds until his retirement in 1986.

He and Barbara built four homes over the years, but their favorite was their last, at Sweetwater. Don and Barbara bought the small ranch from Barbara's uncle, Raymond Thain, in 1972. It was here that they both were able to pursue their passions of raising cattle, horses and living the country lifestyle.

Being a life member of the Elks, a member of the Cattlemen's Association and president of the Tammany School Board were just a few of his accomplishments. There is not enough space here to list all that he has done, and we find ourselves frustrated by the constriction of not creating a rambling biography. The fact is this man really lived his life. Not a moment was wasted - right up to the end. Two weeks prior to his death, lying in a hospital bed, lungs full of pneumonia, he tells his daughter, "I have to get out of here and get to work." What a testimony to a spirit of a generation that took nothing for granted and valued their self-sufficient independence more than anything.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Jo Benscoter, and brother Ray Benscoter.

Don has left behind Barbara, his wife of 69 years; his three children, Sherry Benscoter Smith, Dana Benscoter and wife Mirtza, and Kelly "Opie" Benscoter; grandchildren Tate Smith and wife Soo Lee, Sherry Stutzman and husband Jared, Roxy Benscoter, Shelby Benscoter and Kelsey Benscoter; and great-grandchildren Mason and Mia Smith, and Asher and Austin Stutzman.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

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