Mark Birger Benson ’65

Mark Birger Benson ’65 died on July 13 in Burlington, Vermont. “Birge” came to Dartmouth from Hanover. An anthropology major, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi and active in the Outing Club, Cabin & Trail, and Army ROTC. He married Ellie immediately after graduation and departed for Ranger training in Fort Benning, Georgia, followed by a tour in Vietnam. In 1971 he received an M.B.A. from Harvard and settled in Colchester, Vermont. Birge joined the faculty of Saint Michael’s College as a professor of business and accounting, a passion he enjoyed for 35 years. He loved his students for the variety, energy, and humor they added to his life, and they loved him back. Birge was founder and CEO of Pen of Steel, a successful management consulting firm with hundreds of clients around the United States. He was a founder of the Saint Michael’s College Center for Organizational Development, offering management and leadership development programs to local businesses. In his free time, Birge enjoyed sailing, skiing, motorcycling, reading, telling stories, and spending time with his family. He is survived by Ellie, his wife of 59 years; children Mark, Craig, Sean, and Amy and their partners; and 10 grandchildren. He was a colorful character and a cheerleader to all, offering valuable advice whenever someone faced an important life decision and even when they didn’t. He has left those who loved him with indelible memories.