Goodbye old friend...

I mentioned it was a "sad day" for me in a thread i started this morning. He truly was a candle in the wind, and now his light has been snuffed out. Ben Roloff, my best friend, mentor, historian and all around good guy; died this morning at Boswell Hospital.

A stroke suffered on Friday, took him quickly and mercifully. He was easily the smartest man i have ever met; but he never tried to prove it. He was the most unflappable human being, except for the time he thought he threw out an entire box of thumb drives...it drove him crazy...until he found them (a story for another time). He was kind, helpful and polite; never once did i hear or see him refuse to help solve a computer problem, answer a history question or assist someone with their HOA concerns.

Since the day we first met as potential board members for SCHOA (2005), we became friends. I asked him what he did for a living, he told me he taught special needs kids in Wisconsin. I remarked that must have been a challenge; he smiled, no these were the brightest of the bright, genius level students. He often told me well after retirement in 1996, students still reached out to him and let him know how much he meant to them.

Ben had that kind of impact on people's lives. He touched them; left his indelible mark and never once thought more of it than just being a gentle and kind person. On top of being a teacher, he was a county commissioner for 22 years. He regaled me often with the stories of those politicians he served with and often argued with. It was where he came to understand and value the importance of listening to his constituents.

I could go on for hours, but i won't. I know when folks we know are close to us and die, we want to let sorrow rule the day. In Ben's case, i choose to remember him in life and celebrate all he gave back to try and make Sun City a very special place. I would ask you all to do the same, our lives are fleeting, some longer, some shorter.

In Ben's case, i would argue the man crammed about 110 years of quality living in the 83 years he was on this earth. All of us should be so lucky to be and do what he did. Don't mourn his death, be thankful he was here to help us get the most out of our time. I know my life was made infinitely richer for knowing Ben Roloff.

Rest in peace my friend...you earned it.

 

I had a feeling this morning after I read your post, but hoped I was wrong.
I'm so sorry. I know he was your touchstone.
He was so smart, kind and patient.
He will be greatly missed.
I hope the museum does something in his memory.

 

Thanks E; "touchstone," what a pleasant thought. Words are so powerful when used in the right way.

 

My condolences to Ben's family, you and to the entirety of Sun City.

What a shock, we've truly lost a treasure of a man.

God Bless.

 

I am so sorry to hear this. Thankfully it doesn't seem that he had to suffer long. I just spoke with him at the Discover Sun City event at Sundial. I will miss him and history lessons.

 

Ben has taught you well Bill, but this now places you as the torch bearer of our Sun City history. I'm sure you can, and will carry on in the best of spirit knowing always that Ben will be looking over your shoulder.

 

Thanks Janet but in all honesty, i struggled to stay in Ben's shadow. He was truly a unique one of a kind human being.

 

May your memories be a blessing.

He was inspirational.

 

People like Ben live forever because of how they lived. His encyclopedic historical knowledge of and love for Sun City was a remarkable gift to us all. He will be missed.

 

I'm at a loss for words.
RIP Ben. You will be missed.
To Mary Rose and you, Bill: May your memories comfort you at this time.

 

Ben was always kind, generous, informative and welcoming. His knowledge about topics was immense and he was always willing to share his thoughts and experiences. I loved to hear his thoughts on any topic and his voice was always a calming touch.
Bill, your friendship with Ben has produced numerous positive posts mentioning talking over coffee. In celebration of Ben’s life there’s a pot of coffee ready to brew, to raise a cup to celebrate Ben and everything he touched. In honor of Ben, we lament his passing and offer deep condolences to Mary Rose and his family. He will not be forgotten.

 

Thanks gang, anyone who had the opportunity to know him, work with him realizes just how unique he was and in my mind...always will be.

 

May he rest in Peace. Thank you for sharing.

 

In had known about Ben for years after I moved here. I spoke with him more when I was liaison to Museum and he was pleased that I had a degree in history. I learned a lot about Sun city history from him. Whenever we crossed paths he always said hi and how was I doing. Sorry to say that the last time I said hi to him was at the Board meeting last Thursday.

My deepest condolences to his wife and family. He was a truly gentle person and a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed.
Godspeed.

 

He was a cool guy!

 

It may be too soon to consider this idea Bill, but I wanted to put it out there for you to view.

You and Ben spent countless hours talking and sharing ideas about many topics. I would think there are numerous stories about seeking solutions or ways to help solve some of the issues Sun City is facing. I would imagine the context of some of these coffee meetings could be varied yet rewarding to have some insight as to what you and Ben talked about. With Ben’s intellectual ability and your knowledge of all things Sun City, those talks had to be most enlightening and meaningful discussions to be held.
What I am saying is it would be most enlightening if you could do a blog series around the discussions and spirited talks you and Ben shared so we can all have a glimpse of the conversation for ourselves. It would bring forth the essence of Ben for all to hear and revere from your perspective. The platform could be on Facebook and perhaps call it something like “Ben’s beliefs” or “My conversations with Ben”. I, for one, would love to read more about Ben’s beliefs and ideas and since you are such a great writer Bill, would help provide others the wisdom and knowledge he offered.
The timing of asking this of you is awful, but it could also be a catalyst for a way to honor your best friend.
Please don’t be angry with me for suggesting this, I was only looking for a way to keep Ben alive in our minds and hearts. No malice intended.

 

Not angry, not even a little Carole. In fact, had it been me that died it would have worked way better. Ben had a photographic memory; me, not so much. He literally remembered names, dates and events unlike anyone i ever met. I'm simply not capable of doing that.

We almost got there, in a strange sort of way. Shortly after the Museum opened their addition at the back of the house, we began a series called "Coffee Brake." It was a take-off from the first coffee house menu located in the HiWay House/Kings Inn restaurant. We did two sessions with approximately 30 attendees. We had a blast as we played off each other and left those in the room a little smarter for being there. And then the pandemic hit and everything stopped and then changed.

The closest we got was when we did the Life Long Learning class last fall. We were really looking forward to doing the next class on Feb 20 on the selling of Sun City. His mind worked in ways mind never will and oddly enough, vice-versa. We were the ying and yang of presentations which played well.

His legacy, the one he worked on for the better part of eight years was just finished a short time ago. He made countless trips to the State Archives where he poured over and through every local newspaper (first Youngtown's and then Sun City's) from 1954-1985. He took copious notes compiling the information of the day or week (depending on the paper) and has created a 5 volume set of news of the day that is as accurate as anything you can find.

Plus, while typing away on his laptop, he also took advantage of an archives feature that allowed him to print articles that intrigued him. They too are in the folders, which he ultimately created a searchable data base for. They will be presented to the museum and once digitized and will be available for anyone interested.

Ben will live on through his efforts. I know i should be sad, and i know when i give his eulogy, it will crush my soul. I also know it will be one of the happiest moments of my life to be able to share with anyone interested just how special Ben was.

 

Might not be appropriate to say, but I think Ben should be laid in state at Sun Dial. I'm sure hundreds of Members have crossed paths with Ben and he has touched many hearts.

Ben Roloff was Mr. Sun City and I don't think anybody can deny that fact. Gentle Ben.

Rest in Peace!

 

We need to honor this sweet guy with a Ben Roloff Day! I hope the museum does something like this to honor him!

 

How about The Ben Roloff Historical Collection and Memorial Research Area in the museum? Certainly speaks to his stature and commitment to Sun City. Something along these lines to provide scholarly research in the future.