Peter Bensinger, a distinguished public servant who headed the DEA and helped transform how the agency tackled the illicit drug trade, died last week.
Mr. Bensinger passed away peacefully surrounded by family Feb. 11. He was 88.
Before his time at the agency Mr. Bensinger dedicated himself to reducing recidivism as the director of the Department of Corrections in Illinois. After leaving the DEA he pioneered the use of workplace drug testing and assistance programs for employees impacted by the scourge of narcotics.
"That was kind of his nature. If there was something that caught his attention, he would jump into it," said lifelong friend Andy Block.
Mr. Bensinger was born in Chicago in 1936. He attended the Chicago Latin School and then Phillips Exeter Academy, where he ran track. Growing up, Mr. Bensinger displayed the bravery and dedication that would serve him well in his professional endeavors. His brother, Roger Bensinger, remembers Mr. Bensinger excelling at a practice bullfighting session during a family trip to Europe when they were teenagers.
Mr. Bensinger "exhibited grace, style and bravery at that moment," Roger Bensinger recalled.
At Yale University Mr. Bensinger excelled in the broad jump, becoming the Ivy League Champion in 1956. After graduation, he worked for the family business, Brunswick Corp., one of the most important companies in Chicago.
Mr. Bensinger "was genuinely interested in using his talents to help solve society's problems," Roger Bensinger said.
That's why Mr. Bensinger decided to leave his job at Brunswick in the late-1960s and get involved in public service.
In 1968 Illinois Gov. Richard Ogilvie appointed Mr. Bensinger chairman of the juvenile detention division of the Department of Corrections. Mr. Bensinger then rose to director of the department. As director he was known as a reformer who implemented innovative approaches to prisoners' rights with job training programs, work release and increased visiting hours.
Directors of prison systems across the country elected him president of the Association of Prison Administrators. During his tenure as director prison recidivism fell by 40%.
It was during this time that Mr. Bensinger witnessed the devastating effects of drugs and began working on a solution to the problem.
"Drug use was a part of what affected both the juvenile population and the adult criminal population, so this was an issue as director of corrections that he was familiar with and was looking to develop programs to rehabilitate those in his care," said Mr.. Bensinger's son, Peter Bensinger Jr.
After his success as prison director Mr. Bensinger decided to run for Cook County sheriff in 1974. He lost despite being endorsed by all of the city's major newspapers. But the race caught the attention of Washington.
In January 1976, Mr. Bensinger was appointed DEA administrator by President Gerald Ford and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Mr. Bensinger served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, leading the DEA under Presidents Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
He oversaw a shift in the DEA's approach to fighting illegal drugs from a focus on total arrest numbers to a more investigative approach. He was instrumental in the passage of laws that expanded criminal forfeiture to include seizure of assets derived from illegal drug trafficking. This allowed investigators to target drug kingpins and their networks. Infamous Harlem crime boss Nicky Barnes was brought down during Mr. Bensinger's tenure.
He continued his dedication to helping those impacted by the harmful effects of drugs after he left the DEA in 1981. Bensinger co-founded Bensinger, DuPont & Associates in 1982. The company pioneered workplace drug testing and employee counseling services that were covered by employers.
He also served as a board member of the DEA Educational Foundation in support of the DEA Museum, where he worked to educate and empower communities in the fight against drug abuse. His contributions were widely recognized, including receiving the National Governors Association's Distinguished Service Award and the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotic Agents.
Mr. Bensinger's service-based leadership also continued through his work as a member of the board of Lurie Children's Hospital, where he chaired the public policy committee. His signature contribution was his advocacy for the first-ever funding for resident training at children's hospitals.
In 2006 Mayor Richard M. Daley declared Aug. 10, 2006, as Peter Bensinger Day.
As a lifelong Cubs fan he was a firsthand witness to the team's highs and lows. In 1945 he saw the Cubs lose the World Series to the Detroit Tigers. In 2016 he saw his beloved team lift the trophy in Cleveland.
He was good friends with legendary Cubs infielder Ryne Sandberg. Mr. Bensinger's season tickets were located behind the visiting team's dugout at Wrigley Field. Every now and then, when the opposing team's catcher would look toward the manager for a signal, Mr. Bensinger would throw out his own to try and confuse the catcher.
At home Mr. Bensinger cherished gatherings with his children and grandchildren and continued the family traditions he learned as a child. He loved to travel. He was an avid fisherman and mountaineer.
His children and grandchildren will cherish the lessons he imparted and will try to live their lives as he did — in service of others.
"He would say to me use your talents on behalf of a cause greater than yourself," Peter Bensinger Jr said. "That's how I like to remember him."
In addition to his brother and son, Mr. Bensinger is survived by his wife, Judith; three daughters, Jennifer B. Parkins, Elizabeth Bensinger and Brette Bensinger; and five grandchlldren, Samantha Bensinger, Allison Bensinger, Katie Parkins, Jack Parkins and Chloe Carlson.
