Robin Benson

The eldest of four brothers and a sister, his father was Bob Benson – a well known character in Baildon who founded the family business of Benson Beltings, in Bradford and Cleckheaton making transmission and conveyor belting.

Robin Benson, who lived at Ben Rhydding, near Ilkley, was educated at Woodhouse Grove School followed by National Service in the Royal Signals, serving in the War Office in London, during which time as he would proudly recall, he reached the rank of acting Lance-Corporal.

After being discharged, he entered the family business which at the time made belts out of leather for transmission. But he repositioned it into making conveyor belting from man-made materials.

When their father died, Mr Benson and his brother David, successfully ran the business until he retired in 2006. The company was then sold, but the name survives.

He had a number of sporting interests, although always as a spectator. He was a keen racegoer and a member of York Races for many years as well as Wetherby. For some years he also regularly attended Ascot.

In addition he was an enthusiastic supporter of the Airedale Beagles and a life member of Ilkley Rugby Club which held a minute’s silence in his memory before their first match of the season, on September 3.

Mr Benson had died in the early hours of that morning having been ill since suffering a heart attack in May, while in the Lake District.

He had a gift for friendship and over the years cultivated a wide circle of friends who held him in great affection and high regard. For more than 40 years, he and some of those friends organised a May Ball in the Wharfe Valley.

On the charitable side, Mr Benson supported the Army Benevolent Fund and took a particular interest in the Injured Jockeys Fund, for which donations were invited at his funeral service.

Mr Benson, who was predeceased by his brother Geoff, is survived by his brothers David and Peter and his sister Josie.