Peter B. Bensinger

Peter B. Bensinger, a dedicated public servant who headed the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under three presidents, died on February 11. He was 88. His work led to reform in prisons, hospitals, and government itself.

His son, Peter Bensinger, Jr., recalled his father’s lesson: “Use your talents on behalf of a cause greater than yourself,” he said.

Before his time at the DEA, Bensinger served as Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, where he helped to reduce recidivism for adult offenders by 40% and by more than 50% for juvenile offenders.

In addition to public service, Bensinger was committed to Jewish service. He served on the JUF Board from 1971- 1975, and on its Government Affairs Committee from 2003-10. Serving in the Jewish community ran in the family: His son also served on the JUF Board, and they went on many Nachshon Missions together. Bensinger’s own father, B.E. Bensinger, served as President of the Federation (a position now called Chairman) from 1917-19.

“For Peter, Federation was a family tradition,” said JUF Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Steven B. Nasatir. “I truly enjoyed working with him, and I admired him tremendously. He worked to shape policies so that they helped both the people they affected and society as a whole. I know that Peter felt that ‘public service’ truly meant to serve the public with everything he had.”

Born in 1936, Bensinger grew up in Chicago, attending the Chicago Latin School. He ran track at Phillips Exeter Academy, becoming the 1956 Ivy League champion in the broad jump while attending Yale University. After graduation, he worked for the family business, Brunswick Corporation. 

In the late 1960s, Bensinger pursued public service, rising to leading government positions. His success as Director of the Department of Corrections of Illinois led to his appointment, by President Ford, to Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1976. He would continue in this position under presidents Carter and Reagan. 

After the DEA, Bensinger co-founded Bensinger, DuPont & Associates (BDA), where he expanded access to addiction and mental health services. BDA worked with more than 500 employers to offer confidential counseling and rehabilitation services to workers.

Bensinger was a founding board member of the DEA Educational Foundation, which among other initiatives, provides community-based youth programming as an alternative to gangs and drugs. He also chaired the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, and served on the executive committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Further, he helped pass the first Illinois law limiting campaign donations, and establish the first-ever funding for resident training at children’s hospitals. 

Bensinger’s achievements were lauded by his nation, state, and city, and he received honorary law degrees. But one of his proudest moments was watching his Cubbies win the World Series with his daughter Brette.

He is survived by his wife Dr. Judith-they are Golden Giver donors to the JUF Annual Campaign. He also is survived by his children Peter Jr. (Heidi Wagman), Elizabeth, and Brette Bensinger, and Jennifer B. (late Brad) Parkins, his five grandchildren, and his brother Roger G. Bensinger (Robin Groth Bensinger). Memorials may be made to the DEA Educational Foundation.