Michael Benecke

March 7, 1949 - January 8, 2021

Benecke, Michael Paul, of Saint Louis, Missouri was born March 7, 1949 to Paul and Eileen (nee Eagan) Benecke and entered into rest Friday, January 8, 2021 in Saint Louis, Missouri at the age of 71 years. Mike and Chris have resided in Prescott Valley, Arizona for the last two and a half years. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Christine Benecke of 42 years, four (4) children, Amy (Benecke) Crockett, Peter (Bethany) Benecke, Caitlin Benecke and Colin Benecke, and granddaughter, Caroline Benecke, along with numerous extended family and friends. Mike was a very proud and involved father who possessed a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed a life full of family and friends, was a car enthusiast, participated in many memorable hunting trips and was committed to the cause of wildlife conservation. He was a life-long member of the NRA and an avid gun collector. Mike always appreciated the loyalty and support of his friends who enthusiastically supported the causes he held near and dear to his heart. He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. After beginning his career in Saint Louis at Anheuser-Busch in Corporate Procurement and then the Promotional Products Group, Mike turned his deep passion for the hunting/shooting industries and wildlife conservation into his second career. While at Anheuser-Busch in 1979, Mike enlisted August A. Busch III’s support of a $100,000 donation each to the states of Colorado and Wyoming for starving wildlife due to the worst winter conditions in 100 years. In the 1980’s, he developed the concept for the first super fundraiser event in Duck’s Unlimited history which dedicated a wetland to John F. Krey III. This fundraising event raised $535,000 in one night. He also conceived the concept of the North American Habitat Fund for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). Anheuser-Busch supported this new idea with a $500,000 donation enabling the purchase of the Robb Creek Ranch. Anheuser-Busch’s advertising support of this donation provided RMEF instant credibility. Mike started his career with the National Rifle Association in 1992 and assisted in the concept development and implementation of the Friends of NRA fundraising program including the merchandise package and managing their first two events in Columbia and St. Louis, Missouri netting over $100,000. The first year of this program raised approximately $1,000,000 for the NRA Foundation. In 2002, he developed and implemented a fundraiser for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) which was held at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, Missouri and raised approximately $450,000. Great Rivers Habitat Alliance requested his assistance in raising funds to save the Confluence of the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers during 2005-2008. During this time, his efforts netted approximately $1,990,000 while also garnering support from the firearms industry and enlisting major conservation groups and corporations to support this cause. From 2006-2020, Mike’s primary focus was turned towards his most passionate cause which was the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. Conceived and implemented through David Lehman, the “first” fundraising event program for NRA-ILA was initiated as part of the annual NRA Convention and has continued for almost 14 years. Along with John Commerford, Norm Fogt, Mark Illig and countless other supporters and donors, they have raised millions of dollars to support ILA’s efforts to preserve the right to keep and bear arms. Mike was instrumental in fundraising efforts for many organizations like the Wild Turkey Federation, Delta Waterfowl, Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, which started the Big Hearts Under the Big Sky program providing hunting and fishing trips to wounded warriors and ill children. Due to the Covid pandemic we plan to have a celebration of Mike’s life with his friends and family in the spring/summer of this year in St. Louis. If you would like to stay in touch with us on the details of this event, please send your contact info to this email address: [email protected] St. Jude’s or the NRA-ILA are two organizations that are very special to Mike if you would like to make a donation in his name. https://donate.nraila.org/donate https://www.stjude.org/ Family and friends can review and share stories, photos and condolences online at www.stlcremate.com and follow details of this event and others in the community at www.facebook.com/stlchapelhill.