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4/12/2022

It seems like wherever I go, I bump into folks who have stories about my dad. I love hearing peoples' reflections on baseball camp, woodcutting in Northern Michigan, or whatever experiences they shared with my father. Our family looks forward to reading your favorite tales by adding comments to this post!

28 Comments

Bill Barss

4/13/2022 05:56:12 am

I had the pleasure of being schooled by Moby in paddleball many times on the courts of the I.M. building. A great teacher, coach and Michigan Man!

Michael

4/14/2022 06:52:28 am

Thanks for your comments, Bill. While my dad lost many matches, I never managed to even come close to beating him . . . even in his advanced middle age . . . and with the added humiliation of being beaten by his Clorox bottle!

Andy Bressler

4/13/2022 09:49:57 am

Moby was one of my favorite people at Michigan while I was there. And having worked for 4 years for Moby in the IM program as a referee and supervisor, he really was a tremendous mentor and leader for all of us. Enjoyed every minute I had sitting in his office and talking baseball and IM sports. And, even enjoyed getting beat by him in paddleball. He really meant a lot to me during my time and Michigan, and wanted to let you know how much of an impact he had on my life. My condolences to Moby’s family - he really was one of a kind, and will be missed. I hope Moby’s legacy will live on at Michigan, and have been proud to support the Moby Benedict baseball scholarship over the years.

Michael

4/14/2022 06:47:41 am

Thank you for your kind words, Andy. It really means a lot to read your comments about my dad . . . I appreciate it so much!

Sue Sheffield

4/13/2022 10:11:52 pm

We miss Moby and Pat so much at church. They are two special people in our hearts. My great children refer to them as being their church grandpa and grandma...Pat we love you and will keep you in our PRAYERS!!! Sue

Michael

4/14/2022 06:49:04 am

Thanks Sue! I know the congregation meant a lot to my parents over the years. They appreciated your friendship!

Eric Powers

4/14/2022 06:57:45 am

I worked for/with Moby at the IM building from 1986-1990. Always enjoyed talking sports with him - especially baseball. I have very fond memories of those days and he is part of that. The term Michigan man gets thrown around a lot these days in different discussions regarding UofM and sometimes is even used in a negative way. Not with Moby; and any discussion about what that term means should start and end with him and everything he meant to the university. Best to his family.

Michael

4/14/2022 07:25:28 am

Thanks, Eric . . . I agree that Moby was the model of what a "Michigan Man" should be. Your comments are so appreciated and comforting!

Jenna D

4/14/2022 07:32:20 am

Moby stole my heart as soon as he moved into Cambrian. Teaching everyone his "handshake" and his cheerful personality! I enjoyed listening to Moby's memories of coaching. Moby called me his "girlfriend" and would always be sure to bring his dishes to the counter for me, even if it was a difficult task for him at times, he insisted! He was such a gentleman and always looking out for his girls at Cambrian. He is already incredibly missed by all and will continue to be. Until we meet again...RIP Moby. Condolences to Moby's family.

Michael

4/14/2022 07:42:43 am

Thanks you, Jenna. We are so very grateful to you and the staff at Cambrian Senior Living Memory Unit for providing my father with such loving and exceptional care!

Greg Geider

4/14/2022 01:24:12 pm

The Benedicts were stalwart parishioners at First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. During much of that time, my late father, Rev. Carl Geider, was an associate pastor. Being a baseball fan, Moby was one of my father's favorite congregants, whom he spoke of often. Blessings to the Benedict family.

Michael

4/14/2022 02:16:35 pm

Thank you for your kind words, Greg. My parents treasured their fellowship with the congregation of First Presbyterian Church. I remember your father well, and am saddened to hear of his passing.

Bert Green

4/14/2022 01:42:32 pm

My condolences to you and your family, and may his memory be a blessing. Michael, I remember you and your dad/family fondly! Me and my late father Dr Robert Green loved UM baseball (and all sports) and we enjoyed spending time together watching games; I remember your dad once gave me a baseball after warm ups. He was a great man and an Ann Arbor legend.

Michael

4/14/2022 02:26:13 pm

Bert!! How wonderful it is to read your comment . . . and thank you for your kind words. I remember both you and your father fondly (so sorry to hear of his passing). I hope you are well and happy . . . please feel free to email me if you would like to catch up over coffee sometime!

George Poulos

4/14/2022 03:21:53 pm

Moby was a huge part of my childhood and helped with creating my love for Michigan athletics. It helped that he was such good friends with my Dad Pete who owned the Delta Restaurant where their friendship was forged. My dad fed the team and we went to countless games over the years- it was so cool to talk to moby-the coaches and all of his players on a daily basis when they would eat at the restaurant-I miss those times so much! Baseball camps in the summer were the best as well. Moby was always friendly and treated everyone like family ! Oh how I wish we could relive those days-but the memories will be eternal! God bless the family and his memory(And Danny too❤️!)

Michael

4/14/2022 06:44:36 pm

Thank you so much, George! I have the best memories of my family dining on the Delta's delicious pizza every Sunday and Thursday night all throughout my childhood. Pete was always wonderful to my mom and dad! I miss those times too! Please give my best to Julie.

Judy Renfrew Hart

4/14/2022 05:13:16 pm

To the Benedict Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. We had a lot of great times from Ann Arbor to Bear Lake. I remember the time Moby drove Mom and I around Bear lake and Lake Michigan convincing us to buy the cottage up north. What a wonderful time we had up there. Visiting Moby and Pat was always one of the first things we did up north after unloading our stuff.
I remember having the dogs in the Bear Lake parade, watching the parade, having dinner at the log cabin, dinner at the Hungry Tummy, boat rides, taking out the sail boat, going out for the fish fry every Friday, cherry picking, etc. Thank you for including us in so many wonderful times up there. Love, Judy and Kim Hart

Michael

4/14/2022 06:46:41 pm

Thanks, Judy . . . the Benedicts and the Renfrews go back a long, long time! We treasure those memories as well!

Downs Herold

4/15/2022 05:58:51 pm

Loved contact with Moby at Church and IM Building. I have told this story often: We were chatting in the IM Locker room after paddleball on a nice autumn afternoon and Moby mentioned that he also was a football ref for High School games and commented on how much he loved doing it as he was happy to be part of the event with players, parents, young cheerleaders, grandparents etc...Just a wonderful way to spend an autumn Friday night with football and be part of the whole happening.

Michael

4/16/2022 12:43:57 pm

Your story gives me a glimpse into my father's experience I know very little about. Thank you, Herold, for sharing this!

Mickey Elwood

4/18/2022 07:25:00 pm

Moby made an immediate impact on my recruiting visit to U of M. We drove around campus and came to a promontory with a beautiful view of, University Hospital. Who shows a recruit the Hospital complex? I thought it was terrific.
In his office he had a baseball diamond peg board with little pegs to hold current and possible recruits names. He had me the moment I saw my name on that board.
The first team talk I remember was about the importance of our studies at Michigan. Moby was absolutely a man of his word. I remember the best fielding first baseman I ever saw, amateur or professional, Pat Sullivan, going over his homework with Moby before he was allowed to practice.
The reason I got to fulfill every boys dream in the the 60s to play professional Baseball was Moby Benedict. We never discussed it but through him I go to play on Cape Cod. The next year in South Dakota, And after my Junior year was drafted and signed a professional contract. (of course invalidating my playing for him my Sr. year). So now that I could no longer help him on the field, what did he do? Found me a job at Yost to help me get through my newly married Sr. year at Michigan.
Years later I got to visit with my old coach and his better half Pat and their Golden Molly, up at his cottage. No longer as player and coach, but one man sharing the love and respect he had for Moby Benedict. Thanks Coach.

Michael

4/29/2022 08:41:41 am

What an amazing and touching tribute, Mickey . . . it brought my family to tears reading it! Thank you SO much for sharing this!

Fritz Fisher

4/21/2022 04:51:12 pm

Moby was one of a kind. He was passionate about baseball and his family, he was maize and blue through and through, and he did every thing that he could to insure that a Michigan baseball player graduated. He was the "energy" for our 1962 team to be College World Series Champions. To Pat, thank you for sharing Moby with his players. You were the dual parent for many years. Let us all honor him as a Michigan Man, a husband and father, and the man that you would your son to play for at Michigan. God rest, Moby.

Michael

4/29/2022 08:38:57 am

Thanks so much, Fritz! It's wonderful that the 1962 team is having it's 60th reunion this May . . . I look forward to seeing everyone at the ball game!

Kurt OKeefe link

5/20/2022 08:19:07 pm

Nice to meet you at the memorial. By request-here is the link:
https://www.mgoblog.com/diaries/moby-benedict-and-boys-spring

michael

5/21/2022 08:42:49 am

Thank you, Kurt. I enjoyed meeting you at the reunion weekend ballgame. Thank you so much for the Moby stories!

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11/2/2022 09:12:41 am

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