Roy D. Benson, 80, a retired senior vice president of Arlington Federal Savings & Loan Association, died Friday, Dec. 29, in Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. Born in Chicago, Mr. Benson graduated from Austin High School where he met his wife, Margaret; they were married in 1939. He served two years in the Army in the South Pacific during World War II. After military service, Mr. Benson returned to Chicago and pursued a career in accounting. In 1965 he began working as treasurer of Arlington Federal Savings & Loan Association in Arlington Heights. Mr. Benson climbed the ranks and was director, financial manager and senior vice president before he retired in 1985. Mr. Benson enjoyed working with his hands. He built model viking ships after he returned from a trip to Norway, refinished furniture and created traditional Norwegian paintings. A resident of Arlington Heights for 50 years, Mr. Benson was a charter member of the Sons of Norway in the suburb and was active in the Chamber of Commerce and Salvation Army. “He was intelligent and very personable,” his wife said, adding that her husband was an avid reader who would finish books in one day. Other survivors include three daughters, Bonnie Lundblad, Merrilee Lytle and Sally; a son, Thomas; a sister, Jane Chauvin; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights.
