Don "Bemco" Bennett, local character and era icon, left his amazing life of 94 years in his Ketchum home Jan. 7 with his family at his side.
Bemco was one of the original artists to arrive in the valley during the early Union Pacific Railroad days of Sun Valley. His landscape paintings graced the walls of the Lodge's Redwood Room, the Simpson family's private collection of his artwork adorned the rooms of the Warm Springs Ranch Restaurant throughout its history and an acrylic remains at the entry to the Duchin Lounge. With over 1,000 original works to his name, his paintings and prints were featured in exhibits worldwide and won a multitude of awards and honors, including first place in Graphics from the Academic Artists Association for the lithograph "The Watering Place." Bemco's name was included in "Who's Who in American Art," "Here We Have Idaho," One Hundred Years of Idaho Art" and "Who's Who in the West."
Don served as a merchant seaman on the S.S. Kaola Victory Ship during World War II, circumnavigating the globe and delivering war supplies. His unique character and his sketches of India, South Africa and Ceylon (crafted from a child's art set smuggled on board) captured the hearts and imaginations of even the burliest of sailors on the vessel.
An avid adventurer, skier, mountaineer and conservationist, Don's love for the outdoors and all its creatures brought him with his wife and soul mate, Doris (D.O.), and two small children to Sun Valley in 1954. Always ahead of his time, he was dedicated to protecting the wilderness and the environment long before it became fashionable. The bell on his rucksack was a familiar sound in Idaho's backcountry and he was instrumental in working with Sen. Frank Church to preserve the Boulder-White Clouds wilderness. One of his last requests was to remember to feed the birds that frequent his yard and care for his fox friends by the river.
But by far his greatest contribution in life was to his family and all those who knew and loved this remarkable man, who possessed an unquenchable thirst for life and knowledge, a captivating wit and an insatiable sense of humor. His daughters, Trudi (Bennett) McGonigal, Kristy (Bennett) Turco and "third daughter" Cindy (Circuit) Paustain, and grandchildren, Josie Pusl, Ashley McGonigal, Peter Burke, Nic Turco and Spyder Turco, know without a doubt that as a humanitarian to the depth of his soul, Bemco's courage, compassion and kind and gentle spirit will live in their hearts and travel onwards in the hearts of all those whose footsteps follow in his path.
There's one last mountain to climb—Bemco and your soul mate and love of your life is waiting for you in the wildflowers on the ridge.
A celebration of Bemco's incredible life will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The Nature Conservancy, The Wilderness Society, the Boulder-White Clouds Council or Habitat for Humanity.
Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel. The guest book and obituary are available online at www.woodriverchapel.com.
