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They met in 1971. He was just released from the Army after a year in Vietnam, and she was a psychology student from CSUN. Both working for a large bank, it wasn’t until about four years later when they actually worked together in the same department at the bank, carpooling to downtown Los Angeles, and eventually becoming good friends. “Our relationship grew from that friendship, and we married three years later,” states Bob and Diane Benjamin. “This was the second marriage for each of us, so we knew how important it was to like the person you are with, and to feel you have found your soulmate.”
Marry a person you love and respect, and treat them as you would your best friend.
“I think that has worked for us,” states Bob. “Diane and I still like to be with each other, have fun together, and are comfortable with growing older together. The best minute of each day is turning off the lights at night, and cozying up to the one you love.”
Bob and Diane just celebrated their 33rd anniversary last December. They have two children, Rob and Katy, and three beautiful grandchildren, Mackenzie, Chase and Wyatt. Bob is currently the Treasurer and Chair Elect of the HMNMH Foundation Board of Directors as well as the Treasurer of three other non-profit industrial associations. “Diane and I strongly support HMNMH and value the health services it provides for the entire community. This commitment began when our son’s life was saved by the Trauma Team after a motor cycle accident. We learned personally how critical it is to have a full service hospital in our neighborhood. As a community non-profit hospital, HMNMH is managed by a totally volunteer Board of Directors, and is dependent on community support to enable it to thrive,” states Bob.
Diane is currently serving as a Board member of the College of the Canyons Foundation, and just concluded her term as the President and founding council member of the Community Gardens of SCV. Diane also volunteers at Mitchell Elementary School teaching gardening to first and third grade students and is the current President and founding member of the Garden Club of Santa Clarita
“Our history together has always included active community service. We both feel that we need to support and be involved with community services that benefit others.”
The Benjamins will serve as this year’s Sweetheart Couple for the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Sweetheart Gala on Tuesday, February 14. The event will be hosted by Shelley and G. Marshall Hann at their home, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Cardiac Services at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. “We do not like to be in the spotlight, but we want to do anything we can to help support the Hospital and the mission of providing the best health care possible for the community. If we can enlist more community members and additional donors to support the HMNMH Foundation mission through this event, then our self-consciousness of being honored as the ‘Sweetheart Couple’ for the year will be worthwhile.”
To see photos from the Sweetheart Gala make sure to pick up a copy of the April/May élite Magazine.
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