Julien Benjamin Jr.

Mr. Julien P. Benjamin Jr., a pioneer in “mechanized roofing,” passed away on Feb. 25, 2007. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, he would have been 90 on March 5. He was active in the Ahavath Chessed Temple and in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1938 he graduated from the University of Florida, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following service as an Army officer, he began working in the roofing equipment field with Aeroil Products in 1948. In 1953, he partnered with his father, Julien P. Benjamin Sr., to form The Julien P. Benjamin Equipment Company, which was successful in selling and renting to the worldwide construction industry everything from roofing nails to pile hammers. Benjamin invented and improved many types of machinery for use in the roofing and construction trades.

He became very active in statewide roofing industry associations, beginning with the Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal, and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRSA), and also participatedwith those in Alabama and Mississippi. In 1950, he was instrumental in forming the Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Georgia (RASMCA). After selling the equipment company in 1982, he remained active and was called upon as a consultant for the roofing industry. Wishing to make a lasting contribution to his field, Benjamin established low-interest revolving loan funds for students in the engineering and building constructions schools. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Dolores McMillan Benjamin, and is survived by four children: Barbara A. Benjamin, Boston; Susan B. Deaver, Atlanta; Julien P. Benjamin III, Jacksonville; and Elizabeth D. Benjamin, New York; and two grandchildren. In honor of his memory, contributions may be made to the revolving loan funds for the building construction and engineering schools at the University of Florida and Georgia Tech.

John Jackson

Mr. John Jackson, president and chief executive officer of E.L. Hilts & Company, Hickory, N.C., passed away Feb. 20. He was 50. He was a member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and served on the future building committee. He was also a member of Hickory Elks Club. John was a longtime active member of the Carolina’s Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CRSMCA) and had served as its associate group president and editor of the Carolinas Contacts Magazine committee. He was also an editorial advisor for Roofing Contractor. John is survived by his two sons, Levi and Julian, and many relatives. The Jackson family has requested memorial contributions be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Hickory, N.C., or Levi and Julian’s college fund, C/O Patricia Jackson, 1415 33rd Ave. Drive N.E., Hickory, N.C. 28601.

Ross Robertson

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) announced that affiliate member Ross H. Robertson passed away suddenly Jan. 29 at the age of 54. A resident of Cicero, Ind., he worked as a senior systems engineer for his employer of 25 years, Firestone Building Products Co. Robertson joined RICOWI in March 2003 and served as a team member on investigations for Hurricane Charley and the Oklahoma City hailstorm.

The RICOWI committee’s board of directors unanimously agreed to dedicate the Hurricane Katrina Final Report to Robertson in his honor. Robertson is survived by his parents, two daughters, four children and three grandchildren.

Allan Wilson

Mr. Allan Wilson, 49, Director of National Accounts and Business Development, Atlas Roofing Corporation - Atlanta, died suddenly on March 11, while playing basketball with his son, Brian. Allan was born in Pittsburgh, and graduated from Geneva College. He began his career with Westinghouse, joined Koppers, then came on board with Atlas in 1989.

He began as technical manager, and was one of the contributors to the work on a patent for Atlas’ Vented Nailbase Insulation. In 1994, he was promoted to director of national accounts. He was an active member of PIMA and other industry organizations. He will be sorely missed by his friends and co-workers at Atlas.