David Benson of Wayzata was born with neither hands nor feet, but he had an irrepressible spirit that helped him make a career aiding children with disabilities.
"He was such an inspiration to so many," said Randy Moberg, principal of Pilgrim Lane Elementary School in Plymouth, where Benson had his last assignment of his 24-year career with the Robbinsdale Area Schools.
Benson, an educational assistant for special education students, died July 28 in Edina. He was 64.
His family said he probably had a heart attack and died of complications after surgery.
"David embraced his disability and turned it into an ability, with his can-do spirit," Moberg said.
"Dave's personal approach helped children, staff and parents look beyond his disabilities, and value him for his many strengths," such as his sense of humor, Moberg said.
Benson would speak in various special education classes and elsewhere, telling the story of his life.
Stumps, except for a small thumb, were Benson's hands. With those, he managed to do almost everything that most people do with regular hands, including writing neatly and buttoning his shirt.
