Yesterday, Saturday, March 8 was a sad, emotional and remarkably fulfilling day for the 100 plus folks who filled the church. We gathered to say goodbye to a man who lived an amazing life. It was one filled with family and accomplishments that he took in stride, never boasting, never complaining, always looking at and for the best in people. Ben Roloff died at the age of 83. He beat the mortality charts, something we marveled at given his medical issues that plagued him the past 10 years. Doctor visits, surgeries and endless tests were a way of life. Never once in all our years together did he whine or moan about the cards he was dealt. Not one time. Living life was far more important than the occasional bump in the road. He approached each new day as another opportunity to learn, to grow and to share what he had found with anyone interested in listening. He was the consummate teacher who never stopped once he retired. Ben found the perfect place to retire to; Sun City. From the day he and Mary Rose moved here in 1997, the community offered them the lifestyle of activities they wanted, but more importantly organizations needing volunteers to make it all work. He gave of himself tirelessly for 28 years. It was Ben's passion; being involved, giving back, making anything and everything he touched better. He had what i called yesterday, a perfect balance in how he lived. Family, friends, church, golf, working out, travel, volunteering, reading, watching movies, following his beloved Green Bay Packers...and through all of it, he stayed close to people he met along the way. Coffee with him was sheer joy for all of us he would reach out to. For some strange reason, i had the pleasure of sharing hundreds, thousands of hours with him over a cup of coffee and countless stories. He valued the times he could sit, talk and share just how good life could, should be...if we only let it. I was fortunate, We bonded early and over the years, we grew closer. As i wrote yesterday, if i had to describe our relationship in a relatable movie, we would be The Odd Couple, with me being Oscar to his Felix. While he never whined about people or problems, i seldom stopped. As i mentioned to family yesterday, Ben never once raised his voice to me, but i always knew when i disappointment him with my antics. In looking back, it dawned on me, Ben and i (along with our wives) had found our perfect place in the sun. Sun City was built for and by people who retired and wanted more than a rocking chair existence with a bottle of beer and their TV. Nothing wrong with that lifestyle, but both of us knew we needed more to life than that. He simply took it to a level way beyond what i was capable of. It's why i admired him so. I knew the things he did that others never saw or heard about. He never did it for the recognition, he did it because it was the right thing to do. He did it when others wanted no part of it. He knew, he understood, he could make a difference. He did that till the day he died. Ben's most impressive project was collecting the stories from the newspapers of the day; 1954 through the early 90's. It was an 8 year project, that required him to drive to downtown Phoenix to the state archives and read through endless microfilm files. He documented the stories of interest on his laptop and printed out those he especially enjoyed. The end result was 5 massive folders of the news of the day. They are stunning in scope, size and accuracy. They are catalogued by year and he created a searchable data base that has been given to the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum. It was his gift to the community he loved. He told me often, he couldn't die without completing them. When he asked me to give the Sun City version of his eulogy, it took me a while to understand why. Sure, we were friends, sure we worked on a lot of projects together. Sure, there were countless stories i could tell about him. But as the day grew closer to step forward in the church, i finally got it. I only wish i had been more clear, more concise in my ability to make people feel what and who Ben was. I came to understand, Ben Roloff was everything that Sun City was created for, exactly what it what it was all about. A way of life, that as we aged, the talents and skills we had learned could be used again, valued and enhanced so those coming here after us enjoyed what those had come before us had built. Ben was Sun City; Sun City was Ben Roloff, At a time where our challenges as a society, as a community are stretched beyond the norms, we need to be more Ben-like. We need to see the good in people, the beauty in the life we have and share that with those we come in contact with. That was the story he wanted me to tell. Rest in peace brother, you left us with the tools and the message we need to carry on.
Such an evocative and insightful tribute to Ben. He is going to be missed greatly by yourself and this community. Anyone who had the opportunity to meet and share his passion for life and everything in it was truly blessed to have such an inspiring opportunity. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this marvelous man and his journey through life. He was truly a remarkable person who has made a significant impact on everyone who met him. I know he will always be remembered for his soft spoken demeanor and quick wit. His smile made me feel there was so much good in this world if only to reach out and take it. He did impact the lives of everyone he met. He definitely touched mine in such a meaningful way. Ben Roloff will be greatly missed, but the essence of the man and how he walked through his life is a testament as to how great he truly was. He lives on through his contributions and writings that we can enjoy for eternity. Thank you Ben Roloff for your presence as I know I am a better person because of meeting you.
