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Benjamin Barnum "Ben " Franklin, 62, of Topeka, died Saturday, May 14th, 2005, and at local care home. He had cancer.
He was born November 7, 1944, in Topeka, the son of Charles Benjamin and Margaret Barnum Franklin. He was in the first graduating class at Topeka West High School in 1962. Paralyzed in a mountain climbing accident near Boulder, Colorado, on April 14, 1963, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech from University of Colorado in 1967.
He was president of the Associated Clubs Inc. and Knife and Fork International. He was a member of the American Alpine Club, Downtown Topeka Rotary Club, Explorers Club of New York, Topeka Sales and Marketing Executives, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and the Topeka Knife and Fork Club. He was a past Trustee of the Capper Foundation, past governor of the International Platform Association, past director of the John Austin Cheley Foundation, and past chapter chairman of the National Speakers Association. Rotary international named him a Paul Harris fellow in 1984. A world traveler, he circumnavigated the world six times and visited 127 countries. The city of Lima, Ohio declared June 11, 1983, “Ben B. Franklin Day” in the city. He was listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America, and Who's Who in the World. His hobbies included photography and visiting more than 90% of the nearly 400 units of the National Park Service.
Two sisters, Elizabeth Burg, of Covington Louisiana, and Margaret Franklin of Moranga, California, survive him, as do three nieces and two nephews.
A memorial service will be at 11 AM, Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Franklin will lie in state after 2 PM Tuesday, and visitation will be from 630 to 7:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John Austin Cheley Foundation, 601 Steele St., Denver, CO 80206, or to The Capper Foundation, 3500 SW. 10th, Topeka Kansas, 66604, or the hospice of the donors choice.
A special message for the family maybe left online at www.penwellgabel.com.
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Stan Wellborn
Ben was a friend since Boswell Junior High, and we connected with each other many times over the years on his visits to Washington and my trips to Kansas. He was, in many ways, the touchstone of our class. Although he graduated from Topeka West, Ben always viewed himself as a Topeka High Trojan, and he was instrumental in planning some of the earlier class reunions. He also remembered and sent birthday greetings to dozens of our classmates over the years. Because of his business connections, he became friends with noted political and civic leaders around the world.
As some may recall, Ben suffered a tragic accident in college while mountain climbing in Colorado, and his legs were permanently paralyzed. Ben subsequently battled severe bouts of depression the rest of his life, but despite that he enjoyed a most adventurous and productive career. He inherited his father's company and -- driving a specially outfitted Mustang Cobra -- traveled hundreds of thousands of miles around the United States. He also set as a goal to visit every national park in the country, and he came close to achieving it, hiking long trails with the aid of braces.
I last saw Ben when he was in Stormont Vail Hospital, where he had been diagnosed with cancer. He was hopeful but also realistic, and he died a few months later. He is survived by his sister Meg, who lives in California.
James A. McHenry
Stan Wellborn's tribute to Ben cannot be improved upon.
I would like to add a footnote regarding Ben's memorable sense of humor. He particularly enjoyed collecting puns. And the louder the groans elicited by the puns the more delighted Ben became. I will always remember the wry smile that would come over his face as he delivered his punch line.
Karen Steinmeyer (Lichtenstern)
I didn't know Ben in high school. I certainly knew who he was because he was so involved. Fortunately I was able to become acquainted with him at our 30th reunion and we would stay in touch now and then through the years. As Stan pointed out...the surprise birthday greeting calls....so thoughtful. After the 40th reunion our correspondence became much more regular by written word through the mail and by email. We were in touch almost daily even during the heartbreaking days of his illness. At one point he was planning a business trip to visit a client and since he would pass through the Dallas area he planned to stop by. I was so looking forward to seeing and visiting with him face to face. But that was never to be because the cancer returned with a vengeance after a brief respite from the first diagnosis and treatment.
I'm so very grateful that I got to know Ben and will always cherish the journey of learning about this special, special man.
Karen Steinmeyer Lichtenstern
Patricia Peterson (Pilkington)
Ben was the reason I attended the 40th THS reunion, since I had never attended one before. We e-mailed each other often, spoke on the phone, and visited in Topeka and Houston several times. The most important part of our friendship is that he shared many of his poems, letters to his parents detailing his travels, and his accolades. If you would like to read them, I would be delighted to share them. I will truly miss him at the 50th reunion!
Pat Pilkington (Patty Peterson)