Donald and Ruth Benedict: Establishing a legacy

College seemed a distant dream to Donald Benedict growing up in the Asotin, Washington, and Lewiston, Idaho, area during the 1920s and 30s. In fact, he was planning to stay on the family farm, working the land with his father. His plans changed when he was awarded the $100 Carl Raymond Gray (Union Pacific) Scholarship. This scholarship would pay for his first year’s tuition and prompted Don to follow his dream of attending college. In the fall of 1934, Don enrolled in the UI College of Agriculture.

Even with the scholarship, times were tough. Don worked his way through college. He recalls one particularly memorable job in the College of Agriculture mailroom earning 25 cents an hour. His earnings went toward the $16 needed for his room and board, first at the University Club and then in Willis Sweet Hall.

Above: Don and Ruth Benedict at their home in Lewiston. Photo by Casey Hanson.

Don initially majored in soil science but later changed his major to agriculture education. After graduating in 1938 with a B.S. in agriculture education, he took a teaching position in the Yakima Valley where he met his future wife, Ruth Torkelson.

Ruth grew up in Spokane, Washington, and attended Washington State University, graduating in 1936 with a B.S. in foreign languages. However, it wasn’t until both Don and Ruth were teaching at Granger, Washington, that their paths finally crossed.

Don and Ruth married on Dec. 27, 1939. Plans to continue teaching were interrupted for Don with his call to duty for World War II. He served two years in the military, mostly in England, participating in the Normandy invasion and returning home with a Purple Heart.

Left: Don Benedict graduated from UI in 1938. Photo by Gem of the Mountains, 1938.

Upon his return, Don and Ruth returned to his parent’s farm in the Winchester area. Lacking necessary seed facilities in the area, Don started processing his own seed. He was soon processing seed for all the farmers in the area as well. The business was thriving, so Don and his father, Rollo Benedict, built a seed facility in Cottonwood. Not long afterward, they decided to move Benedict’s Seed from Cottonwood to Lewiston. In 1956, they decided to sell the farm and move to Lewiston, where they maintained ownership of Benedict’s Seed until 1990.

Don attributes much of his life’s achievements to the $100 scholarship that allowed him to attend the University of Idaho. That scholarship meant so much to Don that he and Ruth decided to establish an endowment with the College of Agriculture to provide scholarships. Don said, "I got help to go and it’s gratifying to help others do the same. A hundred dollars doesn’t go far these days, but my goal with the $1,000 scholarship is to help pay a student’s fees."

Established in 1989, the Donald and Ruth Benedict Scholarship Endowment provides two $1,150 scholarships to students pursuing a degree in agricultural and extension education. Providing these scholarships has given Don and Ruth a great deal of satisfaction. They are particularly proud of the Scholarship Book given to them by the college. The book contains photos and letters of thanks from past scholarship recipients.

Both Don and Ruth practically beam as they relate that all three of their children, Brian, Don, and Diane, are UI graduates as well. The Benedicts are visibly proud of both universities on the Palouse. Don said, "You can’t really place a value on an education. It does so much for an individual. I’m just happy to be able to help students today as I was helped."

—Casey Hanson

For more information on establishing an endowed scholarship or contributing to a scholarship, contact: Casey Hanson, Development Coordinator, PO Box 442331, College of Agriculture, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-2331. She can be reached at (208) 885-2664, (208) 885-6654 (fax) or by email: casey@uidaho.edu.