Jeffrey Scott Benda, 44, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly on November 25, 2021 in Nebraska, while visiting family. Jeff was born on May 21, 1977 in Alliance, Nebraska to Rick and Gina Benda.
Raised in Nebraska, Jeff was a 1995 graduate of Hemingford High School. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance in 1999. While at the university, Jeff was a member of Delta Upsilon (DU) fraternity. He also relished his role as Student Manager for the Nebraska Men's Basketball team. In 2020, he received his Executive Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Colorado.
Jeff committed his entire 22-year career to Altec Industries, a company he loved and faithfully served as Vice President of Sales, Service, and Supply. In Jeff's free time, he enjoyed playing golf, traveling with his family, and cheering on his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers.
After being diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia, Jeff was committed to raising awareness and funds for "Be the Match", a non-profit organization dedicated to helping patients receive the life-saving bone marrow transplant they needed. Jeff set a record for the organization by raising $50,000 of his $7,500 goal to give others a second chance at life.
Jeff never met a stranger and was intentional with his words and actions-always looking for ways to make others feel seen, known, and appreciated. Jeff was passionate about making an impact and never missed an opportunity to love and serve others. He even encouraged those in his MBA class to join his 4:30 a.m. Peloton rides and because of his winsome personality, they not only agreed to purchase bikes so they could ride with him, he also convinced them to buy Peloton stock. Jeff was a visionary who excelled in leadership roles and was esteemed by all of his friends and colleagues.
Jeff was many things to many people and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Above all, being a dedicated son, husband, and devoted father defined who Jeff was. He adored his wife, Kali, and daughters, Zoey and Alexa, and if asked, he would say his greatest accomplishment was being a husband and father. In addition to his parents, Rick and Gina Benda, Jeff leaves to carry on his memory, his wife, the former Kali Macy, whom he married March 20, 2004; daughters, Zoey (15) and Alexa (14); siblings, Brian (Kim), Matthew (Kristen), and Kristine (Josh) Sole; maternal grandmother, Georgina Bates; in-laws, Larry (Linda) Macy and Karen (Bill) Gibbons; sister-in-law, Jenna (Chris) Devault; and many special aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 4601 Valleydale Rd., Birmingham, AL 35242. The family will receive guests following the service from 12-2 p.m. at Inverness Country Club, 1 Country Club Dr., Birmingham, AL 35242.
Memorial donations in honor of Jeff can be made to Bobcats Beating Cancer, PO Box 603, Hemingford, NE 69348, a foundation started by Jeff's high school to offset costly medical expenses for those students struggling with illness.