Richard was born to Harvey and Mabel Benson May 4, 1924. He attended grades and high school at Hannaford and graduated from college in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as 2nd Lt. of Marine Corps. After the war he went into business in Kalamazoo in the building and salvage and demolition.
He married Elaine Decker in 1946. They had two children: Brent, born in 1948; and Linda in 1951. Linda married James Vander Veen and they have three children, Ryan, Brady and Sara. They all live in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 91