Robert E. Bennington

Robert E. Bennington, 82, passed away on January 7, 2021. He was born on June 22, 1938 in Denver, CO to Frank and Hilda Bennington.

He is survived by his siblings, Mary Jane, Susan, and Tom. When he graduated from Leadville, CO high school, he was given a 1942 Ford Coupe, which he thought was “quite cool.” Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 23, serving as a sharpshooter and a member of the U.S. Army Ski Patrol in Germany for two years. After returning to the States, he attended Colorado University on the G.I. Bill and earned his architectural engineering degree. During this time he married Tessie Lopez, fathered two children, Robert Bennington, Jr. and Krista Bennington (Schultz), and even toured Europe.

His family moved several times, residing in Aspen, CO, Wheat Ridge, CO, Santa Fe, NM, and finally in Albuquerque, NM, where he lived until he passed. Robert held some interesting jobs, such as a ticket taker at the Matchless Mine in Leadville, CO and as a molybdenum hard rock miner in Climax, CO. But he spent the majority of his life working as a highly skilled structural engineer, specializing in bridges and earthquake-resistant buildings.

His work is scattered across the country, including BART stations in California, a bridge in the Boston “Big Dig” project, the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, MN, and numerous other bridges, cell towers, and buildings large and small. Robert lived a full and good life, filled with family and many friends. He will be sorely missed for his hearty laughter and his quick, dry wit. His kind and caring spirit touched many people throughout his life.

His memory will remain forever in our hearts.