James Armen Benham ’39

Jim died June 1, 2010, at home in Norwalk, Conn. He had been serving as class president for the past few years, and in spite of declining health, still managed to get to class gatherings as often as he could.  

Jim joined the Navy shortly after graduation and was an ensign aboard the U.S.S. Farragut in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He earned a Bronze Star for his heroic act of steering his ship to safety during the attack that day.  

His long career in advertising began at Young & Rubicam in New York. In 1955 he joined Ted Bates Advertising Agency, where he held the position of senior vice president and director until his retirement in 1980. He then volunteered with National Executive Service Corps and in other philanthropic endeavors. Through it all Jim was an avid golfer and a member of the Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, Conn.