A Memorial Tribute to Roger Benson From Semiconductor Environmental Safety and Health Association
This past week the Semiconductor Environmental Safety and Health Association (SESHA) lost a very dear friend and highly respected professional colleague, when Roger Benson passed away on Friday August 19, 2005 after a long and brave fight with cancer. Roger’s smile, his booming voice and helpful safety insights will be sorely missed by all of those who crossed paths with him. He left everyone with whom he interacted richer for the experience.
Roger was a Senior Engineering Specialist with FM Global. His responsibilities with FM Global included design review of new Integrated Circuit (IC) Fabrication (Fab) facilities, visiting existing Fabs to review operations and practices and he provided extensive safety training and an overview of IC processes to numerous other FM Global engineers on a worldwide basis for more than twenty years.
Roger had a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami. He was a member of the NFPA 318 Technical Committee, Co-chair of the SEMI Tool Fire Protection Task Force, a member of the SIA Fabs West group and a member of the Board of Directors of SESHA. Roger was frequent speaker for the past two dozen years at the annual SESHA international conference and local SESHA, SEMI and SIA seminars. He was a leading authority on safety, fire safety and codes that impacted the semiconductor industry around the globe. Many of the EH&S; professionals working in the semiconductor industry today, very much owe their introduction to safety issues and knowledge of specialized engineering controls to Roger Benson.
On a personal level, Roger was a friend and colleague who had the highest integrity and was always willing to give of his time and insights selflessly. I consider myself very blessed for having known and worked with Roger Benson over the past two dozen years.
Roger’s family and friends are very much in our thoughts and prayers as they deal with the pain of their loss with Roger’s passing. The best way we can celebrate Roger Benson’s life and accomplishments is to emulate his willingness to share his experiences openly and honestly with each other.
Respectfully,
John Cox
SESHA – Past President