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SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. District Judge Dee Benson died Monday at age 72, nearly eight months after being diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer, the Deseret News reported.
Benson, a Brigham Young University graduate, had served as a federal judge since his appointment by President George H.W. Bush in 1991. He also previously served as the U.S. Attorney for Utah and as chief of staff for Sen. Orrin Hatch. Benson ruled on a number of cases and was described by peers as an impartial judge during his tenure.
"These days you hear about so-called Democratic or Republican judges," longtime friend Paul Warner, the chief magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court in Utah, told the Deseret News. "The media is quick to report a judge was appointed by Obama or Trump, indicating that's what swayed their rulings. Dee loved the law, and he was enormously talented — clearly the quickest legal study I've seen in the 45 years I've been in law. And because he loved the law and knew it, he let the law dictate the outcome."
In a statement Monday, Hatch mourned the loss of Benson who he described as an "exemplary jurist, a sharp legal mind, and above all, a cherished friend."
"Dee's heart was as big as his intellect, and it's for his trademark kindness and humility that I will remember him most," Hatch said of his colleague and friend. "He had a tremendous legal career, but most importantly, he had a rich and meaningful family life and was always there for his loved ones. My prayers are with the Benson family at this difficult time."
Current U.S. Attorney for Utah John W. Huber said it's "difficult to imagine Utah's federal bench and bar without Judge Dee Benson's presence and positive influence."
A portrait of the former U.S. Attorney for Utah hangs outside Huber's office, he said in a statement offering condolences to Benson's family.
"As a judge, practitioners knew they would get a fair shake and thoughtful consideration from Judge Benson," he continued. "In an age of growing incivility, Judge Benson served as a shining example of professionalism, kindness and courtesy."
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said he felt "deeply saddened" to hear of Benson's death and said his thoughts and prayers are with Benson's family.
"Judge Benson served the citizens of the United States respectfully and was an example of dedication and sacrifice," Herbert said in a statement. "He was selfless and extremely knowledgeable. He was a great public servant and will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to serve with him."
Benson's identical twin brother Lee Benson, longtime columnist for the Deseret News, said his brother was a hard worker — even after his brain cancer diagnosis. About one month after a biopsy left him partially paralyzed and bedridden, Dee Benson was back to work in his downtown Salt Lake City office.
"It was his life," Lee Benson told the Deseret News. "The court and the law clerks were as much family to him as, well, family."
"He was my best friend and my confidant and my best critic," Lee Benson said of his late brother.
