David Blair Benham

Background

Benham, David Blair was born on November 11, 1918 in Fort Riley, Kansas, United States. Son of Webster Lance and Margaret Lemon (Drake) Benham.

Education

Student, Oklahoma City University, 1937. Bachelor of Science in Engineering, United States Naval Academy, 1941. Certified naval architecture, United States Naval Academy, 1942.

Career

Junior engineer, Benham Engineering Company, Oklahoma City, 1946; design engineer, junior partner, Benham Engineering Company, Oklahoma City, 1947-1952; senior and managing partner, Benham Engineering Company, Oklahoma City, 1952-1964; senior and managing partner, Benham-Blair-Poppino-Stealy, Oklahoma City, 1964-1967; president, chairman bd, chief Executive officer, The Benham Group, Oklahoma City, 1967-1974; Chairman of the Board, chief Executive officer, The Benham Group, Oklahoma City, since 1974.

Achievements

• Registered professional engineer, 25 states.

Membership

Ruling elder, trustee Westminster Presbyterian Church. Member Committee of 100 Oklahoma City, Inc. Colleague Kirkpatrick Center.

Patron member Oklahoma Heritage Association. Life member Oklahoma History Society. Trustee United States Naval Academy Foundation.

Member national advisory board, chairman advisory board Salvation Army, Oklahoma and Arkansas, 1978-1979. Vice-chairman Oklahoma Mental Health Board, 1958-1959. Chairman board Oklahoma Board Registration Professional Engineers, 1964.

Member Oklahoma Engineering Foundation Blue Ribbon Action Committee. Senior active member board visitors College Engineering University of Oklahoma. Past board visitors College Engineering Oklahoma State University.

Member Oklahoma Environmental Concerns Council, University Oklahoma Associates. Board directors American Heart Association, Oklahoma City metro Division. Past. board directors American Red Cross, Oklahoma County chapter.

Past. chairman Easter Seals Telethon, 1981, 82. Past trustee University Ozarks, Clarksville, Arkansas Served to lieutenant Commander United States Navy, 1941-1946. Member National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society for Testing and Materials, American Academy Environmental Engineers (life), American Consultant Engineers Council (chairman committee of fellows 1989-1990), American Society of Civil Engineers (life member, past president Oklahoma section), Society of America Military Engineers (national director 1977-1979 Outstanding Service award), Founder Oklahoma City Post, Oklahoma Society Professional Engineers, Frontiers of Science Foundation (Oklahoma past president, vice chairman board) Oklahoma State Chamber of C. (director), Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce (director), Military Order World Wars (Commander Oklahoma City 1979), United States Naval Academy Alumni Association (national president 1975-1977), United States Naval Academy Blue and Gold Affiliate, Navy League United States (past national director, state president Oklahoma chapter), Newcomen Society N. American (honoree 1979), American Water Works Association (life).

Clubs: Queensbury; Economic. Men's Dinner (member executive committee). Oklahoma City Golf and Country.

Beacon; Petroleum; Order of Red Red Rose. Lodges: Masons (32 degree), Shriners, Jesters.

Connections

Married Betty Louise Prichard, June 29, 1950. Children: Barbara Lee, Zan, Nancy Ann, David Blair.

Father:

Webster Lance Benham

Mother:

Margaret Lemon (Drake) Benham

Spouse:

Betty Louise Prichard

child:

Barbara Lee Benham

child:

Nancy Ann Benham

child:

David Blair Benham

child:

Zan Benham