Background
He was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, and eventually reached the United States in 1937.
He was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, and eventually reached the United States in 1937.
Bensen flew his first towed gyroglider in 1954. He founded the Popular Rotorcraft Association (PRA) in 1962, a non-profit interest group for owners and homebuilders of autogyros and helicopters, based in Mentone, Indiana, and was the group"s president from 1962 to 1971. Doctor Bensen earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from Indiana University in 1968.
He died from Parkinson"s disease at age 82.