The Bensons

Newman W. Benson is remembered for his unwavering love for his faith, family, and his community, as well as his hard work, service to his country, and his formula for success in life. He called that formula his A.C.E. Plan, which stands for ambition, commitment, and excellence. He was also known for his very active lifestyle. He swam in Lake Wesauking from May to October and once logged 103 consecutive swims in a single season. In addition to swimming, he regularly played tennis and walked everywhere. A plaque outside the unit shares two of Benson's famous sayings - "You will rust out before you wear out," and "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."

Patricia Benson has long been a loyal supporter of Guthrie and the community. She has provided financial and volunteer support for many years, and the Sayre House of Hope, the Personal Care Home at the Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital-Towanda Campus, Guthrie Emergency Medical Services, and now the Acute Rehabilitation Unit are among her beneficiaries.

The Acute Rehabilitation Unit is named in honor of the late Newman W. Benson, a well-known Wysox businessman and longtime Guthrie supporter who passed away in 2015. His wife, Patricia Benson, provided a generous donation toward creation of the unit.

"It would give Newman great pride and comfort to know that his years of hard work and commitment will directly impact the local service region and the Towanda community he lived in and benefit the great people of his beloved Bradford County for many years to come," Patricia Benson said at the unit's official opening.