Ernst A. Benzien

On the morning of Feb. 20, 2016, Ernst August Benzien, loving husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully in his home in Fairfield, Connecticut.

He was born and grew up in South Orange, New Jersey to Lisette Benzien of Heilbroun, Germany, and Fritz Benzien of Berlin, Germany. Ernst graduated from Lehigh University’s five-year program with a BS in mechanical engineering and a minor in business. To that, he added leadership training in the ROTC program, then completed his duties in the U.S. Army as a decorated 1st Lieutenant stationed in Butzbach, Germany.

Ernst began his professional career as a mechanical engineer with DuPont in Delaware. For a challenging opportunity, he relocated to the Remington Arms division of DuPont which landed him in Stratford, Connecticut. He settled in as a husband, a loving father, and ultimately an entrepreneur. In 1969, he started his own business, Encon Inc., which spoke to his love and passion for design, architecture, and construction. Ernst created a new approach to interior climate control. He then went on to receive his Professional Engineering Certificate.

Outside of work, Ernst had several sustained interests which he pursued with great passion. An award-winning Porsche enthusiast, he had an extensive knowledge of details throughout every year of production, specializing in the cars built in the 1950s-1980s. He also loved music, especially bluegrass, and he enjoyed playing the guitar, fiddle/violin, and banjo. He planned his summers around attending fiddle camps around New England. A dedicated Christian Scientist, he was devoted to helping build this “camp” experience for children and adults of his faith. He served these camps (Camps Newfound and Owatonna in Harrison, Maine) in many different positions, for over 30 years.

In keeping with his love and commitment to nature, he was a member of the Boothbay Region Land Trust from 2013-2015. Education was another passion of his which was reflected in his generosity, helping both students and institutions throughout the years. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him and will live on forever through the memories they all cherish.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Newbold; his daughter, Kirsten Benzien; his son, August Benzien; their mother, Patricia Poole Benzien; his daughter-in-law, Gina Benzien; and three grandchildren, Lucas Cash Benzien, Seraphina Paige Benzien and Noah August Benzien; his sister, Ilse van der Bent; his stepdaughter, Christina DeYoung and her husband Simon DeYoung; and his stepdaughter, Brooke Smith.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Seth Johnson, Camps Newfound/ Owatonna, 4 Newfound Road, Harrison, ME 04040. The family is planning a private memorial service at his home, with an open house for friends afterwards, the date to be announced.

The Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home in Fairfield has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com.