Arnett Grant Bening

May 12, 1926 - September 21, 2023

SAN DIEGO, CA — Arnett Grant Bening died September 21, 2023 at age 97. He was born May 12, 1926 in Waterloo, Iowa to Erwin William and Margaret Jane Bening.

On February 8, 1944, during his senior year at Waterloo West High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet. He flew as an airborne radio operator mechanic with the 516th troop carrier squadron while stationed in Bovington, England, and Bremen, Germany.

Following World War II, he graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in business. During his senior year, on a blind date, he met the love of his life, Shirley Katherine Ashley. They were married in her hometown of La Porte City, Iowa on October 8, 1950. He entered the life insurance business upon graduating from college in January of 1950. He served as agent, general agent, and manager in Iowa and Kansas. He moved to San Diego in 1965 as branch manager for Business Men’s Assurance Company. He was awarded their Branch Manager Award of Excellence five different times, the only manager ever so honored.

As a part-time vocation, he was a certified instructor of the Dale Carnegie Sales Course. After 35 years he retired with the title of Instructor Emeritus. For 13 years he served as chairman of the Loaned Executive Training Program of the San Diego County United Way campaign.

He was a lifelong Episcopalian and served on the vestries of parishes in Iowa and Kansas. Upon moving to San Diego in 1965, he joined Saint Dunstan’s, serving twice as senior warden.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Shirley, four children: Jane, Bradley, Byron and Annette, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

He will await Shirley with open arms in their niche in Saint Dunstan‘s memorial garden.

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