APPLE VALLEY, Minn. Larry Benjamin, who became widely known in the motorcoach industry because of his engaging personality, good looks, broad smile and infectious laugh, but was in fact a solid operator, died late last month after a seven-month struggle with lung cancer. He had marked his 58th birthday earlier in November.

A native of Northfield, Minn., where he and his brother owned and managed Northfield Lines, Mr. Benjamin was a member of the boards of the United Motorcoach Association and the International Motor Coach Group.

At UMA, he was chair of the associations important meetings committee, making him the chairman of UMA Motorcoach Expo.

"Larry Benjamin represented all that is good and right about our industry," said UMA President and CEO Victor Parra. "He was smart and compassionate.

"He ran a high-quality, competitive company, but understood the importance of associations like UMA that encourage and support initiatives designed to raise the bar in our industry.

"To say he will be missed is severely understating the void his passing creates," added Parra.

Mr. Benjamin and brother John co-owned Northfield Lines for the past 22 years. Larry Benjamin operated a restaurant in Northfield, the Quarterback Club, before becoming the principal owner of Northfield Lines, which has a fleet of more than 20 motorcoaches, 10 small and midsize buses, and 74 school buses.

The Benjamin brothers were honored in January as Business People of the Year by the Northfield Chamber of Commerce.

Friends, colleagues and employees remembered Mr. Benjamin as an "extraordinary man," a "blessing to all of us," an "incomparable individual" and a man with a "kind heart."

The family said he prided himself not so much in his success in business as in the friends he made throughout his career. His warmth, charm, fun-loving nature and sense of humor brought him many friends.

In addition to his brother, he is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; a son, Kyle; daughters Ali Coyne and Heather Stuart, and seven sisters.

Memorials in Mr. Benjamins name have been established with The Breath of Hope Lung Foundation, P.O. Box 1081, Chanhassen, MN 55317, and Fairview Hospice, 2450 26th Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55406.