John (Jack) Raymond Weigand | March 9, 1928 - January 5, 2015

Devoted husband, father, and friend Jack passed away peacefully at home on January 5th with his family at his side. With his engineering and finance background Jack enjoyed a long career at Tektronix, and loved to tinker with everything from computers to cars. Jack’s passion in life was the mountain. He scaled Mt. Hood at age 16, joined the Mazamas in 1944, and climbed many other peaks of the Cascades. He had a life-long love of skiing from an early age, and in the 1950s built a cabin in Government Camp, which stands today as his pride and joy. He helped many ski enthusiasts become instructors as the Technical Director of the Ski Bowl Ski School and furthered their careers as the Vice President of Certification of the (then) Pacific Northwest Ski Instructors Association. After retiring from teaching, Jack served as a member of the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol. As a life-long member of the Schnee Vogeli Ski Club Jack shared his passion for skiing at Mt. Hood, and at resorts such as Sun Valley, with many close friends.

Jack is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Lynn (son-in-law Tod), brother Don (wife Shirley) and step-daughters Adonica (husband Tim) and Carinda, and family grandchildren Fallon and Gage, all in the Portland region. He was preceded in death by his first wife Joan. A celebration of his life will take place on Wednesday, January 28 at 4 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1624 NE Hancock, Portland). A mountain gathering will take place on Saturday evening, April 11 at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum in Government Camp.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Mazamas, Jack Weigand Memorial Fund at www.mazamas.org or the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic through teresa.parks@va.gov or www.wintersportsclinic.org.

Donald W. Benedict | May 10, 1922 - January 3, 2015

(this obituary was submitted by Donald's family)
Donald W. Benedict, formerly of Sacramento, passed away on January 3, 2015. Don worked 28 years for the Office of the Legislative Analyst. He was in charge of formulating the budgets for state resources. Projects included the Central Valley Water Project, the renovation of Cal Expo and the establishment of the CA State Railroad Museum. He received commendations from the CA Legislature for his work. Don was born May 10, 1922 in Mt. Vernon, WA.

He graduated from the Univ. of WA in 1943 and obtained a Masters degree in Public Administration from Wayne State in Michigan. During WWII he served with the U.S. Army Infantry in the Philippines. He worked for the Bonneville Power Admin in OR before starting with the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Don married his wife, Verna, in 1954 and they moved to the South Land Park area of Sacramento. Don designed and constructed the house in which they lived for 45 years, raising 4 children.

They moved to Eskaton Village Carmichael in 2003. He enjoyed tending his large garden of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. Don was an active mountain climber and a lifelong member of the Mazamas mountaineering club. In 1955 he received their Sixteen Major Northwest Peaks Award. He was an avid dancer, teaching folk, square and polka dancing, and was an active member and past President of the Sacramento Polka Boosters. Don is survived by his wife Verna, his children Debra (Steve), Susan, Anita and Rusty (Lisa), and his granddaughters Emma and Becca. At Don’s request there will be no formal service. Donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Donald was the 61st person to be awarded the Sixteen Major Northwest Peaks Award which he received in 1955. He was a lifetime member of the Mazamas.