David Edward Benner, 93, of New Hope, Pa., passed away peacefully on Dec. 19.
He was one of two children (sister Fran, 91, lives in Florida) born to Abram and Frances Benner of Ardmore, Pa., on July 22, 1929.
Since a young age, Dave had a fascination with plants and nature. He attended high school at Lower Merion where his father was head of the math department. It was here he excelled in gymnastics, in particular the pommel horse. His college years were spent studying horticulture at Penn Statue University where he also was involved with gymnastics. His senior year he placed third in the nation on the pommel horse. Following graduation, Dave enlisted in the Army and was assigned a desk job in Panama, serving as secretary to the head surgeon at Fort Clayton.
During his free time he explored the jungles that surrounded the base, discovering numerous pre-Columbian and early Spanish artifacts.
Following his tenure with the army, Dave did some traveling out west and then eventually settled in as the head botanist for Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in Washington Crossing.
A few years later he met his bride-to-be, Sue, at a square dance, and in 1967 began a 22-year career as a professor of ornamental horticulture at Delaware Valley College (now a university). He was revered by many students in this role and was often seen moving quickly across campus with students attempting to keep up with him to identify trees and shrubs.
Dave was a person of MANY passions and interests – a true renaissance man. He most definitely followed a road less traveled. Just some of these passions included: composing music and playing piano by ear, painting, woodworking, rug making, baking and cooking, wild food foraging (including road kill!), vegetable gardening, genealogy, birding, tennis, fishing, hiking, exploring the pine barrens and spending most of his summers in Maine. He summited Mt. Katahdin more than 10 times. He is however probably best remembered as “The Moss Man.” His 2-acre woodland moss and wildflower garden was open to public each May for tours for more than 40 years. He also co-founded “Benner’s Gardens” with his son Al, which over time became a sizable national deer fence supply company until it was sold in 2006.
Al’s brother Rob now runs a similar operation with his wife Erin. Dave embraced life head on and was perhaps one of the most optimistic, high energy and enthusiastic people you could ever meet. People admired Dave because no matter what, he would always tell you what was on his mind! He also gave back to the community in many ways.
Perhaps his two biggest contributions were: 1) Being a big brother to several teenage boys in his community and 2) Single-handedly convincing PennDOT in 1969 to reroute the 611 bypass so as to avoid cutting down Hart’s Woods, where thousands now enjoy Central Park – an expansive public park in Doylestown with all sorts of outdoor activities. A plaque within Hart’s Woods now commemorates Dave’s vision and accomplishment.
Dave leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Sue (still living at their home in New Hope) and two sons, Al (59) of Brooksville, Maine, and Rob (56) of Mertztown, Pa. Dave has four grandchildren – Al has twin sons, Owen and Coleman (16), and Rob, two daughters, Addison (16) and Sophia (12).
You will be sorely missed by many Dave, but your zest for life will live on in others for generations to come. Oh, and you were, without doubt one truly amazing Dad …
A service to celebrate Dave’s life will be held at Trinity Church in Solebury on Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend to share stories, smiles, and laughter – just what Dave would want.
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