Craig Daily Press

Walter Benskin

Craig — Friends and family of Walter Benskin describe the Santa Fe, Texas, resident as an adventurous sort who loved the outdoors, riding his motorcycle and dancing to country music.

But, it was his favorite sport — hunting — that sat high and above his other treasured leisure activities.

And although still officially listed as a missing person, family members said they are convinced Benskin died doing what he loved best.

“He went out that day at 6 in the morning,” sister-in-law Marcelle Olson said, “and that was the last time anyone ever saw him.”

Benskin, 53, disappeared during a snowstorm Oct. 25, 2006, on Ripple Creek Pass near Meeker while on a hunting trip. He was there with his son-in-law before the pair got separated.

Later that day, two feet of snow dropped on the area.

Last week, a 75-person search team combed a 40-square mile area in hopes of locating Benskin’s remains.

The search, conducted Thursday to Saturday, included the Rio Blanco and Mesa county sheriff’s offices, Grand and Mesa county search and rescue teams, Benskin’s family members, search and rescue dogs and a private helicopter.

“This was a huge effort, especially for a recovery,” said Anthony Mazzola, a Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office investigator.

Mazzola said Benskin has not officially been declared dead. However, his family had a memorial service for Benskin about two weeks after he died, on Nov. 10, 2006.

“We still have a missing person,” Mazzola said. “But all indications are he didn’t make it out.”

Efforts to find the missing man continued Monday with Benskin’s family scouring the area for his remains. The family, along with additional friends and possibly help later in the week from Texas agencies, is expected to last until July 10, Olson said.

Olson said Benskin’s family isn’t holding out hope of miraculously finding their loved one alive.

“They consider this a recovery mission,” said Olson, who added that finding Benskin’s body holds both legal and emotional value for family members.

“It brings back memories from a very hard and devastating time,” she said. “It’s about closure. Bringing his body back is for final closure.”

Benskin lived in Santa Fe, Texas, a town outside Galveston, for 31 years and had a wife and two children. He was a big rig welder and had worked for Veolia Water for three years.

Texas EquuSearch, a Dickinson-based nonprofit mounted search and recovery team, is assisting the Benskin family with the recovery effort.

The family asks any area residents interested in assisting with the search call Texas EquuSearch at (281) 309-9500.