ROBERT G. BENGSTON, LTJG, USN
Robert Bengston '60
Lucky Bag
From the 1960 Lucky Bag:
ROBERT GLENN BENGSTON
Newport, Rhode Island
"Benger" came to the Academy from Severn Prep School. He took an active part in many activities, one of which was becoming an indispensable member of the varsity tennis squad. In addition to extracurricular activities, "Benger" will be best remembered for his ready smile, easygoing manner, and his tenacious approach to academics. The fact that Bob never accepted anything less than perfection in anything he attempted soon attracted the admiration of the people who worked with him. "Benger" plans to follow his family tradition and wear the "Wings of Gold" of a Navy pilot. His winning spirit will make him more than a match for anything in the future. Good sailing, Bob!
ROBERT GLENN BENGSTON
Newport, Rhode Island
"Benger" came to the Academy from Severn Prep School. He took an active part in many activities, one of which was becoming an indispensable member of the varsity tennis squad. In addition to extracurricular activities, "Benger" will be best remembered for his ready smile, easygoing manner, and his tenacious approach to academics. The fact that Bob never accepted anything less than perfection in anything he attempted soon attracted the admiration of the people who worked with him. "Benger" plans to follow his family tradition and wear the "Wings of Gold" of a Navy pilot. His winning spirit will make him more than a match for anything in the future. Good sailing, Bob!
Shipmate
From USNA '60 Memorial Site:
Continuing with the sad news, we now pay our last tribute to another friend and classmate, Bob Bengston. Bob was killed in an aircraft accident while operating off USS Ranger (CV 61) in WestPac. The description of Bob in our Lucky Bag serves as a most appropriate eulogy: "Good Ole Benger - his winning spirit will make him more than a match for anything in the future." It was unfortunate that his future was so shortlived. Bob is survived by his widow, two children and parents, Capt. and Mrs. R. C. Bengston of Arlington, VA. To them we extend our deep sympathies. Shipmate, August 1963
According to Ranger's log (page 43), he was a member of Fighter Squadron (VF) 91. He was piloting a F-8C that crashed in 2,400 fathoms of water at 28°00.8'N, 137°06'E.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Robert attended the Heatherdown School in England and graduated from Severn School in Maryland.
In June 1958, he completed two weeks of amphibious training at the Little Creek, Virginia, Amphibious Base. Robert and his date Mary-Louise (“Nikki”) Theobold attended the formal dinner dance on December 29, 1955, in the Officers Club in Rhode Island. Her mother and her brother Bruce visited Robert at the Naval Academy in October 1956.
His engagement to Nikki was announced in January 1960. They were married on June 11 in St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis. They moved to Pensacola where he attended Naval Flight School. Her father was Capt. Robert A. Theobold, Jr., and her grandfather was the late Rear Adm. Robert A. Theobold.
Bob has a memory marker in the Naval Academy cemetery.
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