The Rev. Robert Archie Benninger, MD, DTM&H, FACS, 97, passed away March 16, 2019, in Brooksville Hospice, Brooksville, Fla.

The Rev. Benninger was born in Van on Jan. 25, 1922, to James A. Benninger and Leota Berlin Benninger.

On Aug. 20, 1949, he married the love of his life, Barbara Clark Benninger, and celebrated 69 years of marriage. She survives at home.

Dr. Benninger graduated from Hickory High School. He went on to serve in Army for one year and eight months. He then went on to study pre-med at Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y. Continuing his education, he then went to medical school at the University of Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y., where he graduated.

Following his graduation from medical school, he took an internship in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1951. Dr. Benninger then went on to the London School of Tropical Medicine in England.

He also served as a medical missionary in Sierra Leone, West Africa, from 1952 to 1955. Under the Wesleyan Methodist Church, he practiced as general practitioner in West Middlesex and New Bedford. And at the time, he also had privileges at Sharon General Hospital, Sharon.

Dr. Benninger then took medical residency in Buffalo, N.Y., as an orthopedic surgeon, after he practiced orthopedics in Sharon from 1964 to 1982. Dr. Benninger retired in 1982, however, he returned to practicing in East Liverpool, Ohio, from 1982 to 1985.

Dr. Benninger was ordained in Stoneboro in 1951. Upon moving to Florida, he obtained his reverend credentials in the state of Florida in the Wesleyan Church Conference.

Dr. Benninger was highly involved in many organizations and had memberships in various military and medical organizations. He was an active member of the Brooksville Wesleyan Church, of Brooksville, Fla., where he resided.

Dr. Benninger is survived by his brother, the Rev. Jack Benninger and his wife, Ellen, Greenville; and a sister, Carolyn Benninger Deets and her husband, Samuel, Cochranton; as well as several nieces and a nephew.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James A. Benninger and his wife, Opal; and a sister, Leota Benninger Reynolds and her husband, Paul.

BENNINGER

The Rev. Robert Archie, 97, of Brooksville, Fla.

Calling hours: From 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday (3-21-19) in HUFF-GUTHRIE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 312 W. Park St., Franklin. Online condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting www.HuffFuneral.com.

Service: Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday (3-21-19), with the Rev. Adam J. Simcik of Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard in the funeral home at the conclusion of the service.

Interment: Brandon Cemetery.