Les Benis
1932-2007
Celebration of life will be planned at a future date for Les Benis, 75, a 12-year Minden resident, who died Oct. 29, 2007. He was born Feb. 25, 1932, in Budapest, Hungary, to Joszef and Lidia Benis, he emigrated to the United States after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
Educated as an architect and engineer, he retired from Hughes Aircraft after working and raising a family in the Los Angeles area.
He was an accomplished glider pilot, power pilot and flight instructor, at one time holding a Top 150 World ranking in the soaring community. He served as a pilot in the Coast Guard Auxiliary flying more than 70 search and rescue missions. He was also an avid dog enthusiast. Member of the Reno Kennel Club and American Kennel Club, he was an AKC judge, breeder of the Hungarian Puli, and trainer for almost 40 years. He was considered an expert on Hungarian dog breeds and authored three books. Photography was another hobby at which he excelled. Having taken classes from Ansel Adams, he had a passion for nature and landscapes in the Sierra Nevada.
He enjoyed vacationing with his wife and children, and spoiling his grandchildren. He will be missed by all.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes; daughter Evi and son-in-law Bill of Laguna Hills, Calif.; son Andy and daughter-in-law Debby, granddaughters Melody and Emma Joy of Mission Viejo, Calif.; and his sister Marika and brother-in-law Albert of Szentendre, Hungary.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations to support the National MS Society can be made at Web site www.mspacific.org.
