I’ve been remembering great times, and a beautiful wolf that was a member of the family a long time ago.
  I hadn’t realized the anniversary was near, but it must have been in my subconscious somewhere.
 Miss you, Fred!

I was thinking about you today my friend. We would have been having the best of times in the wheelhouse over the last month. Weather has not been like it has in such along time. I miss riding the waves with you and thank you for being the Grandfather I never had! Hope your soul is sailing well where ever it is!

Steady as she goes my friend!

I can't believe it's been 8 years since your passing. Your presence on this earth, and especially in Santa Barbara, is missed every single day! The good news is the Condor Express is still going strong and just retuned to Santa Barbara this weekend with four brand new, eco-friendly, engines! I hope you are resting in peace my friend!

Some friends are never forgotten and Fred is that for me. Just the other day I swear he was walking with me on the golf course . At least I was thinking about him at the time and wishing he was there with me. Few people have had as much impact on my life.

I can't imagine you being anything less than thrilled if you were here to celebrate your eighty years since your birth with all your friends and family. Happy memories to you and all the friends who still think of you so often. Seeing Hiroko honoring your legacy is a good reminder to do as you did by bringing joy to others.

Thinking of you, Fred.

It would be great to hear that booming voice again! I miss you, Fred.

Was thinking about you today and I do always. When ever there is something in my life I have never done or the next learning level I think of you. I always challenge my self because of what you showed me and the love, time we shared. Thank you! Miss you!

I did 3 consecutive years on private chartering the Condor under my Charter name "The Giggling Katfish" I went to Turners Tackle Shop off Vanowen and Tampa today. Dan informed me today Capt. Fred Benko had passed away. It made me sad. I remember chartering his Condor Express back in 1987, 1988 and 1999. Capt Fred was super friendly and generous with making my charters by far the most fun and memorable times. I heard my Katfish charters were rumored by the Deck hands and galley cook that my charter was the most fun they ever had. I pray Capt. Benko has had a peaceful time in Heaven and I wish him all the best always in the afterlife. I am sure God winked when he caught his prized Angelfish.

Fred, good times with are among the best of memories! Fair winds.

Every time I set foot on a vessel at sea, you are there, Fred. Your love of life, your generosity and your enthusiasm for all things ocean will always be with me. Fair winds...

Still missing you my friend and all of epic trips we shared. I know my life is richer for having had you in it!

I miss you old buddy. I think of you every day. Hiroko has given me the task to go through your collection of photos and slides you have taken over your 40+ years out on the water. It will take me a while, but I look forward to the project and seeing your smiling face time and time again!
I hope you are resting in peace, but partying hard with all your old friends and family.

On this day of your birth I/we remember how special you were to so many. May your amazing spirit live forever in all the hearts you touched while on this earth. Happy birthday my friend.

Forever missed ~ Forever loved.  ~~~JP

Captain Fred Benko was one of the MOST WONDERFUL men of the SEA. I was ever so privileged to be on a special whale watch on a May 19th some years ago. The Captain stated it to be his best in (30) years. How lucky was I ??? We were out there in the SB Channel and got to observe the "Bubble Net" feeding behavior. C O O L, and then some. The juvenile males of the pinnipeds were out to sea avoiding the OLDER males in a deep RUT. The SEABIRDs had a big Partay too. I shall never forget that special day in which I shared with Captain Benko. He was a kind and informative gent. All of us in ACS love him for certain to this very day! In Loving Memory & GRATITUDE.

Fred always made me welcome during whale watching trips that were always memorable. His folksy comment in the midst of a pod of 50 Blue Whales, "I feel like a blind dog in a meat factory." made me smile. Fred's infectious laughter will always ring on the bridge while his spirit lives on in the whale watching trips on the Santa Barbara Channel!

Fred, thanks for showing us how to do what we do.

The oceans just lost some of its more charismatic mega fauna. I have fond memories of Fred on the board of PMCC, especially the evening in a bar in Newport, OR, where he and another board members formed a shield to protect me from an angry fisherman.

Oh Fred, I have fond and funny memories of pool matches in smoky bars as you helped navigate PMCC through the early years... And Condor trips to follow. Lots of bulls**t and hilarity. And 5 days diving looking for white sharks and riding out the potato patch with fabulous friends, unforgettable. Thank you.

The number of friends that came to your celebration of life Fred is confirmation of the amazing gift you were to all of us. You will be missed and always remembered by the contributions you made to the Santa Barbara community and the joy you brought to your friends and family.

Fred was an integral part of my introduction to the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera and left us with so many great memories. Always generous with sharing his love of the sea with all of us, he hosted cast cruises on the Condor many times. His voice was a joy to listen to and the support he showed to the organization was amazing, with Hiroko always at his side. Sail on!

Fred, you are a local hero and will be missed by everyone whose lives you have touched. Eli and my anniversary party on the Condor was a highlight in our lives, not to be forgotten! You made it a memorable event. I know wherever you are you're having a wonderful time!

May the waves rise to meet you,May the wind be always at your back,May the sun shine warm upon your face,The rain fall soft upon your ocean,And,until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Rest in Peace Fred! You will be missed.

Rest easy, Skipper. The times spent in the wheelhouse with you, Ron and Matt were some of the best ever for me and my boys. I'll always be grateful to have known you and to call you a friend.

Fred, you are the best. Rest in peace. JD

I was a teacher in the Los Marineros program and Fred would come to Cleveland to give his whale presentation. What came across so profoundly was his deep love and respect for all sea creatures. My fondest memory is when we came upon two humpbacks who breached over 100 times next to the Condor as we moved beside them. Photos from this day were part of his presentation for years afterward.

Fred's love of fishing and the sea was highly infectious. As the quintessential passenger, I was on board the Condor soon after its 1979 launch and Fred was the main reason I kept coming back for more. Every fishing trip was a whale watching trip, a bird watching trip and -- oh yeah -- we always caught fish. Thank you, Fred, for all wonderful lore you shared with all of us!

Fred, you’ve been a friend & client to me since the 80s. I will miss our long lunches together talking about everything from business to boats and sea adventures. I watched you turn your dream to build a new & better whale watching boat into a reality. I had many good times on both old & new Condors, and it was a joy when you were at the helm narrating the adventure. Arrr matey! Love Ya.

My heart is heavy learning of Fred's death He was a visionary for the industry and wasn't given the true credit he deserved.

you will be remembred

Although distant associates, I grew up around the waterfront amidst stories of Fred. He will forever remain iconic for his entrepreneurial savvy, his love for the ocean and his approach to life. Godspeed Fred, on this your next adventure...

There were many of us undergrads at UCSB that worked through college for Fred. I'll always remember his quick wit, charm, and ability to sell anything! Really a neat guy and an inspiration to so many.

In 1979, as an awkward 12 year old kid I started working for Fred. For the next 18 years I worked at Sea Landing on several of the boats he owned. Fred showed me patience, kindness and always encouraged me. Fred always had a positive attitude. Though he had seen thousands of them, each fish over the rail or whale spouting genuinely excited him. Years later I was a Captain for him on the originalC

The community of Santa Barbara, as well as the Santa Barbara Channel are all better off due to the presence of Fred Benko. My thoughts and prayers go out to Fred's family and all of his friends. He will certainly be missed, yet his legacy lives on.

We worked together at the beginning of the first Condor days and I worked with you through the beginnings of the first trips out to San Miguel Island in the late 70's and I always will remember your love of the Sea and the feeling of excitement that you expressed. As your friend I will miss you, but I am sure that you will be riding the waves with the whales and dolphins you so dearly love

"Fred, we met tagging and monitoring Blue Whales in the Santa Barbara Channel (1993). You said that "in marine biology, even the most ridiculous jobs are worth doing." You said that *my job was a very important one and that orange was your favourite colour." We laughed the entire week about that comment. Cheers to good times at sea and ridiculous tasks, my friend. *whale poop collector

Fred-so many things should be said for the time you were with us-your
work in the community and sharing your love of nature and the sea. You will always be rememberd as the heart and soul of our Pobre's riding group with your singing and joking around the campfire. You are
profoundly missed. Semper Fi

Twas a great privilege to have you as life long friend & share the blessings of the Santa Barbara lifestyle, on water & shore. Thru life's trials, you were always there to say a kind word, give hugs, make us laugh & show the meaning of service, hospitality, leadership & entertainment which lifted spirits. Hope you are with the dolphins going over the rainbow bridge at Pt. Concepcion now.

"Mr,Benco l took care of you the last five months with love,respect,dignity and compassion.you were a wonderful,especially a kind man. I remember the good moments,we always talked alot, watched movies, had dinner, l spend all day with you.i will miss you.Rest in peace my captain"

Fred was an amazing man, a wonderful advocate for the ocean and a great friend. It was a privilege to know him, and I will never forget him.

The most magical times on the sea took place on The Condor. Most trips I joined in with ACS. Several years ago we were blessed to be out in the SB Channel surrounded by humpbacks doing all that they are famous for. Captain Fred was so excited and claimed that it was the best sighting in 30 years. It was an honor to join in his expert journies and we will all miss him. Blessings to you.

I was lucky enough to meet Ferd and his wife in Tanzania on a photo safari back in 2005. Though I only knew him for those two weeks him and his wife invited me to come out and vist them at there house in Santa Barbra. I was unable to make that trip but I alwas knew it would have been fun. Fred seemed to be very outgoing and hospitable. I'm know he will be missed by many. RIP

After Fred built the Condor, he ran all of the whale watches and the island trips for us at SBMNH. I've never met a betterr skipper or a finer human. Fred was bright, gracious, generous, kind, and a wonderful raconteur. He was a pillar of the community, His is an enormous loss; he cannot be replaced. Fair winds and following seas, old friend.

RIP Capt. Fred Benko...You were the Grandfather I never had, you were my best friend, you showed me a world that many never get to see, you showed me how to become a man. The day I set foot on your boat at the age of 12 I was home, a home away from home that shaped who I am today. I will never forget the experiences, the stories and the laughter. Steady as she goes my dear friend...

Fred-you made our Los Marineros program "zing" with the friendly, knowledgable trips you made available to us. Many fifth and sixth grade students at Franklin Elementary will always carry a part of you in their hearts.

My heart is heavy and grateful. Fred was an impressive man that left a legacy of appreciation that is indelible. His love of fish, cetaceans, and people will be remembered forever. I was crazy/lucky to have Fred on board when I saw my first blue whale in '86. I dedicate this year of volunteer contribution to him and PROMISE to name/call my 1st Newport sighting "Fred".

I first met Fred in 2004 at slideshow that he was presenting. I remember Fred had an amazing collection of marine photos from his years in the Channel. Fred inspired me to learn more about the Channel and its wildlife. It is, in large part, because of him I volunteer for the marine sanctuary. Thanks Fred -- I will miss you.

When you stepped into the wheelhouse on Condor with Fred Benko, you knew you were in the company of a man who truly loved the sea. Thousands of children from our area have Fred to thank for taking them safely aboard CONDOR and CONDOR EXPRESS, introducing them to the endangered whales here - future advocates for the world he loved most. Open water from here, Fred. Let her rip!

Fred means a lot to many of us and he will be missed but never forgotten - he has left a legacy! I truly value the days I shared with Fred out on the ocean. He possessed a genuine enthusiasm and love of the sea that we all sensed and were drawn to. He founded whale watching in Santa Barbara and was the brainchild behind the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps volunteer program.

Fred, - you were a true friend who showed us the beauty of Santa Barbara, the Channel Islands, Cabo, and Bellingham. Catching fish and enjoying them that evening, fireworks from your deck, Pobres, Pescatores, Los Fiesteros and swapping sea stories. You were a real gentleman who did so much for the community. We admire all that you have done and are proud to be your friend. Ben and Jef