The noble saguaro cactus sees the world across many generations of Kiwanians and the impact they have on the world. The Southwest District of Kiwanis International remembers the same Kiwanians who have left this world. As the saguaro remembers so do we. Remember and learn about the way Kiwanians have lived their lives and how they have made the world a better place, one child and one community at a time.
2024-2025
Bertram Benedick – Kiwanis Club of Albuerque
Bertram (Bert) Henry Benedick passed away January 16, 2025. His beautiful and talented artist-wife, Mary, and his parents, Lennah and Joseph, preceded him. His son, Herbert and daughter, Cody, and four granddaughters, one grandson and six great grandchildren survive him. Bert was active in AARP as Volunteer Manager of the AARP Albuquerque Information Center and was the first Volunteer Manage of the American Cancer Society’s “Albuquerque Relay for Life.” He remained active with the “Relay” until his passing. Bert took a lot of pride in his membership and service with the Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque as Distinguished President and Distinguished Lt. Governor. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade wind in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” (Mark Twain). He was born in Denver, Colorado on January 9, 1935 and was a graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder. Bert served in the military for two years and was discharged as an Army Captain. He and Mary were married in Colorado Spring where they resided before locating in Albuquerque in the 60’s with the Texaco Petroleum Company. They were transferred to Houston, Texas in 1975. He was an integral part of the “Operations Center Project Team” which reorganized the Texaco Marketing Department Operations. Later he became one of the instigators of Texaco’s “Wellness Program”, which remains active today. Mary passed away from cancer in 1985 after an extended illness. She was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of New Mexico and was an accomplished professional artist in the New Mexico community. Bert returned to Albuquerque in 1993. “Some men see thing as they are and ask why, others dream things that never were and ask why not?” (George Bernard Shaw). “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” (John F. Kennedy). R.I.P. Bert…
Robert “Bob” Brown – Kiwanis Bullhead City Morning Club
Robert “Bob” Brown first joined Kiwanis when he lived in Southern California. When Bob and Rita moved to Bullhead City, there was one Kiwanis Club, and they joined it! As the Colorado River Noon Kiwanis Club grew, Bob and other members decided to start the Bullhead City Morning Club in 1994. Rita stayed with her Noon Club. Bob served as the fourth Club President in 1997-1998. Over the years, Bob participated in almost every fundraising event. He also sat on our governing board for many years. He was the first one to make a two-page form list of supplies needed for any fundraising event. He coordinated so many food fundraising events for our club, no one could count. And in his own way he was very organized. If he was not in charge of the food event, he made sure that everything was there that everyone needed. He was quick to loan us his own trailer for events. Not to mention the fact that as we grew, to owning three trailers, he allowed us to park them at his residence. Bob oversaw new memberships. When I joined, he took off work and took me to lunch to fully explain Kiwanis and the Morning club. If I know Bob, he did not turn in the receipt. Bob often brought a joke to our meeting and often read a “Kiwanis Minute.” Bob was committed to his family, his business, his church, and his community. Bob was a member and involved with our local Contractors Association. Bob and Rita were involved with the Chamber of Commerce and committed to its success. Rita was a founding member of the “Chamber Maids,” now our Women’s Council. Bob was born July 26th, 1942. Our Lord took him to be with his Rita on June 12th, 2025.
Jeanne Kainec – Capitol Gateway Kiwanis Club
Jeanne still had many friends going all the way back to elementary school days. Upon passing, Jeanne’s neighbors, as a group, gathered to celebrate her friendship, and demonstrate, that she was a valued member of the neighborhood. Jeanne was loyal, including a special loyalty to her stepson, Dorian. He had an abiding interest in Native American art and artifacts; Jeanne left her collection to him. Jeanne, also had a dog named Freeway, that was a loyal companion. Jeanne’s profession was in social services, and she had a bachelor’s degree in social work. She was accredited by the Council of Social Work Accreditation; she belonged to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW); and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). She continued to take pertinent courses with the latest developments in her profession. She worked up until the last few months of her life, until she began having serious medical issues. Jeanne did not just work in the area of social work; she embodies the experience of supporting society. She was a Capitol–Gateway Kiwanis Club,Charter Member. She served as an archivist for the club, taking pictures, keeping the club’s history, serving on the Board of Directors, as well as, the Club’s President. She gave generously of her time to Kiwanis projects, by handing out dictionaries to 4th graders, and monthly awards to outstanding students. She participated in Kid’s Day at the Fair and donated generously to Camp Kiwanis. Jeanne contributed funds to numerous organizations. After she passed, much of her mail, came with “a contributor since 1987”, or earlier. Jeanne was a reader, having dozens of novels, books dealing with Southwest Indian life and art. And finally, Jeanne was a collector, of American Indian Art, facsimiles, and artifacts. She also collected beautiful artificial flowers, over taking space, but that was Jeanne.
Southwest District Perpetual Saguaro of Service
The noble saguaro cactus sees the world across many generations of Kiwanians and the impact they have on the world. The Southwest District of Kiwanis International remembers the same Kiwanians who have left this world. As the saguaro remembers so do we. Remember and learn about the way Kiwanians have lived their lives and how they have made the world a better place, one child and one community at a time.
2024-2025
Bertram Benedick – Kiwanis Club of Albuerque
Bertram (Bert) Henry Benedick passed away January 16, 2025. His beautiful and talented artist-wife, Mary, and his parents, Lennah and Joseph, preceded him. His son, Herbert and daughter, Cody, and four granddaughters, one grandson and six great grandchildren survive him. Bert was active in AARP as Volunteer Manager of the AARP Albuquerque Information Center and was the first Volunteer Manage of the American Cancer Society’s “Albuquerque Relay for Life.” He remained active with the “Relay” until his passing. Bert took a lot of pride in his membership and service with the Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque as Distinguished President and Distinguished Lt. Governor.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade wind in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” (Mark Twain).
He was born in Denver, Colorado on January 9, 1935 and was a graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder. Bert served in the military for two years and was discharged as an Army Captain. He and Mary were married in Colorado Spring where they resided before locating in Albuquerque in the 60’s with the Texaco Petroleum Company. They were transferred to Houston, Texas in 1975. He was an integral part of the “Operations Center Project Team” which reorganized the Texaco Marketing Department Operations. Later he became one of the instigators of Texaco’s “Wellness Program”, which remains active today. Mary passed away from cancer in 1985 after an extended illness. She was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of New Mexico and was an accomplished professional artist in the New Mexico community. Bert returned to Albuquerque in 1993.
“Some men see thing as they are and ask why, others dream things that never were and ask why not?” (George Bernard Shaw).
“And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” (John F. Kennedy). R.I.P. Bert…
Robert “Bob” Brown – Kiwanis Bullhead City Morning Club
Robert “Bob” Brown first joined Kiwanis when he lived in Southern California. When Bob and Rita moved to Bullhead City, there was one Kiwanis Club, and they joined it! As the Colorado River Noon Kiwanis Club grew, Bob and other members decided to start the Bullhead City Morning Club in 1994. Rita stayed with her Noon Club.
Bob served as the fourth Club President in 1997-1998. Over the years, Bob participated in almost every fundraising event. He also sat on our governing board for many years. He was the first one to make a two-page form list of supplies needed for any fundraising event. He coordinated so many food fundraising events for our club, no one could count. And in his own way he was very organized. If he was not in charge of the food event, he made sure that everything was there that everyone needed.
He was quick to loan us his own trailer for events. Not to mention the fact that as we grew, to owning three trailers, he allowed us to park them at his residence. Bob oversaw new memberships. When I joined, he took off work and took me to lunch to fully explain Kiwanis and the Morning club. If I know Bob, he did not turn in the receipt. Bob often brought a joke to our meeting and often read a “Kiwanis Minute.” Bob was committed to his family, his business, his church, and his community. Bob was a member and involved with our local Contractors Association. Bob and Rita were involved with the Chamber of Commerce and committed to its success. Rita was a founding member of the “Chamber Maids,” now our Women’s Council. Bob was born July 26th, 1942. Our Lord took him to be with his Rita on June 12th, 2025.
Jeanne Kainec – Capitol Gateway Kiwanis Club
Jeanne still had many friends going all the way back to elementary school days. Upon passing, Jeanne’s neighbors, as a group, gathered to celebrate her friendship, and demonstrate, that she was a valued member of the neighborhood.
Jeanne was loyal, including a special loyalty to her stepson, Dorian. He had an abiding interest in Native American art and artifacts; Jeanne left her collection to him. Jeanne, also had a dog named Freeway, that was a loyal companion. Jeanne’s profession was in social services, and she had a bachelor’s degree in social work. She was accredited by the Council of Social Work Accreditation; she belonged to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW); and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). She continued to take pertinent courses with the latest developments in her profession. She worked up until the last few months of her life, until she began having serious medical issues.
Jeanne did not just work in the area of social work; she embodies the experience of supporting society. She was a Capitol–Gateway Kiwanis Club,Charter Member. She served as an archivist for the club, taking pictures, keeping the club’s history, serving on the Board of Directors, as well as, the Club’s President. She gave generously of her time to Kiwanis projects, by handing out dictionaries to 4th graders, and monthly awards to outstanding students. She participated in Kid’s Day at the Fair and donated generously to Camp Kiwanis.
Jeanne contributed funds to numerous organizations. After she passed, much of her mail, came with “a contributor since 1987”, or earlier. Jeanne was a reader, having dozens of novels, books dealing with Southwest Indian life and art. And finally, Jeanne was a collector, of American Indian Art, facsimiles, and artifacts. She also collected beautiful artificial flowers, over taking space, but that was Jeanne.