John Benseman R I P
All,
We regret to advise of the
passing of John Benseman. Our thoughts are with Connie and Malinda.
John was born in New
Zealand on the 24th February,
1946. In 1963 he was indentured as an Apprentice Motor Mechanic by Dominion
Motors, later known as the New Zealand Motor Corporation. In 1969 he was
employed by the Cook Islands Motor Centre on Raratonga. In 1971 he ventured to
Panguna with Construction Managers, Bechtel WKE. The following year he switched
to the client, initially as a Leading Hand Motor Mechanic and then, subsequent
to several promotions, he was promoted into a Superintendent role. Until 1990
he reported to many of our key asset managers at the BCL and CRA operations.
These include Jim Adomoli, from Bechtel, Al Medwin, Col Clarke and Pat Ramunno.
It was in 1990 that he transferred with CRA to Kaltim Prima Coal where he was
reporting to John Arkeveld. In 1994 he returned to PNG where he lived in Kimbe
and was employed by New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL). He remained in Kimbe
until a few months ago when he contracted an illness associated with leukemia.
A few years ago it was said
that John, at that particular time, managed the largest fleet of Volvo on-road
trucks in the Southern Hemisphere. It was Volvo Managers, Michael Norman and
Peter Marshall, who alerted me to our loss. Thank you so much, Michael and
Peter.
John was a keen fisherman.
On one memorable occasion John, while looking after Carrots` boat, took Bob
Gowans and myself for an adventure around the Zuens and beyond. I am sure that
others would like to write of JB`s fishing prowess. There were many stories.
John`s funeral will take
place at the Centenary Memorial Gardens on Thursday 9th
August at 2;00 PM.
A memorial service will
also be conducted in PNG.
Davo and Peter B.
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