Harvard Miller Benway

HARVARD MILLER BENWAY

1926–2015

A direct descendant of 19^th-century preacher and Adventist forefather William Miller, Harvard Miller Benway was born on Aug. 3, 1926, in Hollywood, Calif., to Clarence and Stella (Miller) Benway. His family owned a number of William Miller’s personal possessions, including a Bible from 1842 that still remains in the family.

At age 25, Harvard enrolled at Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute, in Wildwood, Ga., where he met Alma R. Mote. They married in 1953. Harvard went on to serve as dean of boys at Pine Forest Academy in Mississippi and later worked at Glendale Adventist Hospital, Loma Linda Foods and McKee Baking Company. He also served as an ordained elder, an ingathering leader and a Bible evangelist. Passionate about the Adventist church and its distinctive message, he enjoyed giving talks on his ancestor William Miller and early church history.

After a long and healthy life, Harvard died on May 10, 2015, in Gainesville, Fla., at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife, Alma; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce R. and Sangita; daughter, Marla A., and her husband, Darryl McKinney; daughter, Ellen M. McCracken; and three grandchildren, Seth McKinney, Kyle McKinney and Laura McCracken.

Blessed with a kind and gentle spirit, Harvard was cherished by his family and friends. He leaves behind a legacy of true Christian service and a deep, abiding love for his Savior.