Stephen Benko

Stephen Benko, 90, died peacefully in his sleep at home on Monday, December 15, 2014. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Brigitta, their four children, Evie Duncan and her husband David, Kati Benko, Stephen Benko and his wife Radka, and Suzanne Benko, as well as his grandchildren Lauren Duncan, Stephen Benko, and Thomas Benko.|

Stephen Benko, 90, died peacefully in his sleep at home on Monday, December 15, 2014. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Brigitta, their four children, Evie Duncan and her husband David, Kati Benko, Stephen Benko and his wife Radka, and Suzanne Benko, as well as his grandchildren Lauren Duncan, Stephen Benko, and Thomas Benko.

Stephen was born in Budapest, Hungary. After graduating from the Seminary of the Reformed Church of Budapest, he went to Switzerland for further study at the universities of Zurich and Basel, where he met his wife. After earning his Ph.D. in Basel, he came to the United States. He served several Hungarian congregations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and taught at Crozier Seminary and Temple University in Philadelphia. He and his family moved to California in 1969 where he taught ancient history and early Christianity at CSU Fresno. He loved teaching and during his tenure he wrote several books in his field. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Sonoma where they enjoyed many happy years together.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor