Stephen Benkowitz

Stephen Jay Benkowitz, of McKinney, Texas passed away on August 28, 2023, at his home. Stephen (Steve or Mr. B) was born on December 30, 1941, in Lakewood, New Jersey. Stephen attended Rutgers University for his undergraduate work and Michigan State University for his master’s degree. Stephen honorably served in the United States Army as a Captain of the Quartermaster Corps in Germany during the Vietnam War. He was transferred to Ft. Lee, Virginia where he led two Officer Candidate School classes. He was well respected by the Army for how well he trained his soldiers for battle.

Following school and the Army, Stephen went to work for Marriott, where he dedicated 41 years and left behind a legacy of remarkable success. Marriott was a very small company at the time, and Stephen was instrumental in elevating the company to new heights. Stephen reached the level of General Manager in only seven years and served Marriott in several locations, including Houston, Virginia, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Kansas City, and Dallas. When he retired in 2008, he was known as a tough, but caring person with a quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor.  Stephen was a tremendous mentor and role model to countless individuals within Marriott and continued to be so long after retirement. His impact on the hospitality industry will be cherished and remembered forever, and to some he was even regarded as a legend.

Stephen was also a great family man and much beloved husband, father, brother, son, and friend. He and Regina spent 53 joyous years together raising three great kids. The family was always first with Stephen and when the kids were younger, you would see him at the ball field coaching baseball and softball teams and watching too many tennis matches to count. As his children grew, Stephen continued to advise, guide, mentor, and most of all, love them. He continued to help his children in any way possible as they became adults and even parents themselves. Stephen also loved his daughters-in-law and son-in-law as his own. After his retirement, Stephen became an avid golfer, enjoyed traveling the world with Regina, and continued to be present in the lives of his family through his involvement in his granddaughters’ lives.

Regina was the love of his life and his undisputed #1 favorite person. While there were ups and downs, their marriage was one to emulate. Stephen and Regina showed everyone, especially their children, what true love and partnership really look like. They taught them that hard work, patience, selflessness, and respect are not only important, but necessary, for a happy marriage and a happy family.

Stephen was a hero to all of us in several different ways, and he will be missed by so many, but we are all better because he was in our life.

Stephen is survived by his wife of 53 years, Regina, son Michael and his wife Michelle, daughter Lisa and her husband Mike, son Kevan and his wife Chris, and granddaughters Maddie, Melissa, Rylee, and Kensey.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Stephen’s life at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Allen Family Funeral Options.  He will be laid to rest at Dallas/Ft Worth National Cemetery.

If desired, contributions may be made in Stephen's name to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/contact-us/ :