Fredric Allen Benedict

Frederic "Fritz" Benedict was born in Medford, Wisconsin, in 1914, and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin. Frank Lloyd Wright invited him to serve as the head gardener at Taliesen in Spring Green, Wisconsin, in 1938. As Benedict’s interest in Wright’s philosophy grew, he studied under Wright at both Taliesen and Taliesen West in Scottsdale, Arizona, for three years. Wright’s influence upon Benedict’s work was evident for decades to come.

Benedict first visited Aspen in 1941 as a competitor in the National Skiing Championships. Less than a year later, he was drafted into the Tenth Mountain Division of the U.S. Army and trained at Camp Hale near Leadville. Benedict served as an S2 intelligence officer in the 126th Mountain Engineer Battalion, supporting the Tenth Mountain Division. He saw active duty in Italy in the later years of the war and served in the Army until the war ended in 1945. While ski treks from Camp Hale to Aspen were frequently a part of the training, they were also an element of recreation for the soldiers, and many, including Benedict, returned to the untamed slopes of Aspen following World War II.

When Benedict returned to Aspen he purchased a ranch atop Red Mountain. His life as a rancher was short-lived however. The arrival of artist and architect Herbert Bayer from New York City and entrepreneur Walter Paepcke from Chicago initiated Aspen’s revival from an isolated mining town to an internationally-known ski resort. Bayer was important to Benedict personally as well, introducing him to his wife Fabienne who encouraged him to leave ranching and return to architecture. Benedict became the foremost architect in Aspen through his collaboration with Paepcke and Bayer, helping to establish the town’s own style of modern architecture. His education in landscape architecture, the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright, and Bayer's Bauhaus influence encouraged him to blend nature with architecture, ensuring that the buildings he designed did not overwhelm the landscape but instead contributed to the overall aesthetic of the area.

Benedict designed over two hundred buildings in the Aspen area throughout his career. His primary focus was on residences, but he did a good share of commercial work as well. While many of his residences have been demolished over the years, several of his commercial designs remain.

As one of the leading architects in Aspen’s development, Benedict received numerous awards and honors throughout his lifetime. He was often referred to as a pioneer in the growth of Aspen from a former mining town to an internationally-known ski resort. In 1985 he was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, an honor bestowed on a select group of architects who have made outstanding contributions to the profession. Benedict also was inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 1995 for his contributions to both Aspen and the Colorado ski industry. The City ofAspen awarded him the Greg Mace award in 1987 for “epitomizing the spirit of the Aspen community” and the Aspen Historic Preservation Commission awarded him with the Welton Anderson Preservation Honor Award in 1993 for his contributions to the built environment of Aspen.

Benedict was the first chairman of Aspen’s Planning and Zoning commission and was instrumental in areas such as open space preservation, establishment of a city park system, development of the code banning billboards and neon signs, and the creation of a pedestrian mall. He also served on the Pitkin County Planning Commission, guiding the county through its growth as a major ski area. Benedict founded the Aspen Beautification Task Force and the Pitkin County Parks Association. He and his wife also donated 250 acres of land to Pitkin County for open space. The Benedicts were active in numerous charitable causes throughout the region; in 1993 they donated ten acres of land to tennis star Andrea Jaeger for the Silver Lining Ranch, a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses. Benedict also was directly involved in the Aspen Music Festival, serving on the board of Music Associates of Aspen from 1958 to 1992. Benedict was the festival chairman in 1985 when disagreements between the musicians and board jeopardized the festival. His skillful leadership mended the rift and enabled the festival to continue on. The Benedicts donated ten acres of land to the city for open space in exchange for four acres of land for student housing for the music school and festival.

A vital part of Aspen’s history and community, Benedict died on July 8, 1995, in California while awaiting medical treatment following two heart surgeries. In 2000 architect Harry Teague designed and constructed the new Benedict Music Tent, providing the Aspen Music Festival with both a permanent home and a memorial to the contributions of Fritz Benedict.

Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8650836

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