Dear Aprilanne and family,

I am truly sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy. Wishing you all peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you all at this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers! 

Sincerely,

Ariella Hansen

I first met Ben 17-18 years ago when I was at Wharton and he was researching business schools. He came across immediately as someone who was very smart, but humble, extremely capable, fun, ambitious, but most of all just a really good guy. Accordingly, we put the full court press on him to join us in Philadelphia. Sadly for us, he instead went to another, equally prestigious program, but we stayed in contact and became friends. I loved hearing from him every once in a while and getting glimpses of his life. In him I found someone who really saw the world the same way I did. He was always so full of life and energy, always looking to know how he could help, always thinking of his next big idea, even while working hard at whatever his current job was. But ultimately, he was someone who knew there was more to life than just career and money and to find joy in the journey.

More than once we laughed together as we related to each other decisions we had made that that turned us away from situations that would have made us a lot wealthier than we were. It was a mildly rueful but positive and confident shrug and laugh that we shared. To be sure, he was extremely motivated towards success, and never stopped working and thinking and planning, but he knew that life was more than that and he was a perpetually happy person.

On a business trip to Waco, I brought my wife along with me and we made a stop in Austin to see Ben and Aprilanne. We had some great BBQ at Terry Black's, but what I remember most is sitting there for literally hours after we had finished eating, talking and laughing, until the restaurant was empty and the staff was sweeping the floors. About a year later we were in the midst of moving our family to the Middle East and urgently needed to get certification stamps of vital documents in several states. Ben was happy to receive them, hand carry them to the Texas State Capitol to get the stamps in person, and then overnight them back to me in California. He scoffed at any payment and was stoked to help, because that's who he was.

In the past 14 months since we returned from the Middle East and settled in Dallas, we spoke more often than we did before. I loved talking to him and hearing about what he had going on. He was always focused on how he could help me in my job search, even when I was not in a hurry to start working again. He and I related to each other so much and, as usual, he was working hard at his job, had another venture he owned and wanted to talk about, and still held everything in the proper balance and priority. The last time I talked to him he excitedly told me about at least FOUR additional ideas he had for businesses or ventures he wanted to explore. In that conversation we also happily mapped out who we could introduce each other to from our respective networks, which we had of course done before. That's who he was.

I didn't know him as well as many do and I'm bummed that we never lived close enough to see each other very often. Sadly, in our last call we assured each other that now that we only lived a few hours apart, we'd for sure see each other soon and more often. But that will have to wait.

Another friend said it right when he texted me that "Ben really did seem like he could do it all." As I drove down through the rain and traffic today from Dallas to Austin, I thought of how privileged I was to know him. I thought a lot about this mortal life, and I reflected on what I can do better in my life that would make me more like Ben. That list is long.

Aprilanne and kids, we love you so much. We know you will be together eternally with Ben in love and happiness.

Ben, rest in peace buddy. I can't wait to hear the next slate of ideas you think of. God be with you, until we meet again.

Ben...Benny...Gentle Ben. 

I think perhaps you secretly loved us dragging you out to Coney Island that summer.  How could you not have loved the Murder Mystery Party and all the good eats.  And I think we made quite a pairing at Sun and Jeffy's nuptials....two tall drinks of water ☺️.

But that glorious night at the Rose Bowl to see U2 under The Claw with your brother and buddy Jeff, Sunshine and I was the ultimate. Thank you for being tall and easy to find when we looked for ourselves after in the pics by the band and thank you for rocking out with me at one of my fave shows ever.  I know your ears took a beating. It was the first sign of aging...but we had a blast together. 

Now you will be forever young. 

You are already sorely missed. 

Love and wishes for peace to your whole family and to all that loved you.

Godspeed.

Shan

AprilAnne and Family

So sorry.  Sending you love and prayers. 

Love you, Carol Jones

Dearest Ben, Perhaps Like our Grandpa Anglesey passed shortly before my oldest brother Laval, Your  Aunt Marlene was called home so soon before you crossed the veil...To comfort with arms open to welcome you home. To give you special instructions to then move forward into Paradise. with your loved ones there. We will miss you, and pray for the day we will all be together again. PS Maybe you can whisper soft messages to your mom now and then,

 Love, Aunt Cheryl, Richard Lee