Even from the start, Ben was in a hurry to get on with his life, when he was born three weeks premature, on August 21, 1971. He was perpetual motion, and often would become intolerant of rules and routine. He left high school early, educated himself in computer technology, and rapidly escalated into a position as the respected “go to guy”. When not designing a web site, or managing engineering CAD systems, he flirted with being an entrepreneur, musician/singer and more. Along the way he enjoyed parrots and snakes, motorcycles and his green Corvette, and was a gifted photographer.
His adventures took him through Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida and finally, Texas. It seemed that nothing could hold him for long. He was brilliant and funny, an admired co-worker, and a caring friend to many.
Ben’s only child, Lainey Elizabeth, recently became a parent herself, with the birth of Lydia. He is also survived by his grandmother Viola Rapp, parents Lanny and Vicki, brother Jonathan and sister Stacia and their spouses, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, his sweetheart Christy and her beautiful little Chloe, and a whole world of friends.
His Facebook profile read like a Jimmy Buffett tune, “Spent a lot of time in a lot of places, met a heck of a lot of wonderful faces, hope I left behind some positive traces”.
We couldn’t hold him here long enough either, and on March 2nd, he rode a Texas highway to the Father’s heavenly home, forever young.
Benjamin’s life was honored in a commitment service held Monday morning at Broussard’s Mortuary in Beaumont, Texas. An informal memorial service just before sunset is planned for Thursday, March 10, on Clearwater Beach. For further information , e-mail RememberBen2010@comcast.net. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations designated for support of the beach outreach known as Sunset Ministries, c/o First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, 12685 Ulmerton Rd., Largo, FL 33774.
