Born Bernard Angelo DiLisi on Oct. 17, 1926, in Phoenix, Ariz., to Italian immigrants who died during his childhood, he became Ben Lindenstein when he was adopted and raised by Swedish immigrants, primarily in California. He attended high school in Los Angeles and was employed as a speed skater at the local ice rink. After moving to Seattle, he met and married Ruth Waggoner on June 1, 1947, while serving in the U.S. Army. Ben received his B.S. in geology from the University of Washington and did post-graduate studies at the University of Oregon, although he never quite finished his masters’ thesis after their children were born.
His interest in the great outdoors began in earnest when he was a city planner for the city of Port Townsend in the early ‘50s. When Ben moved the family to southern California, his love for the forests and peaks meant family hikes, backpacking trips, opening Trail Design (a mountaineering supplies store), and teaching courses to scout troops and the Sierra Club. Ben had a profound respect for nature and took every safety precaution; loving Ruth and their family meant returning home in one piece. A favorite saying was, “An old mountaineer is a safe mountaineer.” He climbed with Brad, then age 13, to the top of Mount Rainier and Ben celebrated his 50th year by summiting Mount McKinley with trusted California climbing friends without the use of supplemental oxygen.
Ben held numerous volunteer positions. Ordained an Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), he served at St. Paul’s in Anaheim, California (‘57 to ‘73), Rolling Bay Presbyterian on Bainbridge Island (’74 to ‘98), and Whidbey Presbyterian in Oak Harbor (’00 to present). His gifts and attention to detail made him a valuable member of finance and missions committees, even at the synod level. Ben and Ruth were volunteers in mission at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska, in the late ‘90s. He was also a member of the board at Tall Timber Ranch at the time of his death.
A voracious reader, especially of history, Ben also enjoyed stimulating conversations, friendly board games, participating in family events, and preparing and presenting wonderful meals. He was a lifelong philatelist and introduced stamp clubs to various elementary schools. Ben never met a map he didn’t like and partnered his love for car trips with Ruth’s fondness for quilt shops. The dream to visit the hill towns where his parents were born was realized when Ben, Ruth and others traveled to Italy in 2003. Recent car trips were to Wisconsin for Nicole and Sean’s wedding; Arizona and California for family fun and sun.
On March 30, 2011, after a determined battle against increasing medical conditions, Ben left behind his wife, Ruth; his children, Brad (Jenny), Gary (Sharol), Dianne Thompson (Jeff), Susan, and Doug (Sherry); sisters, Mary Walshok and Margaret Lindenstein (Jim Allison); 12 grandchildren, a growing number of great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other much-loved family. He would likely have thought this was much more information than anyone would want, but we’ll let each of you decide. He led an interesting, inspiring life of 84 years, celebrating each family joy and always encouraging others to dream big and work hard to make it happen. His courage and fortitude will forever be a standard for those of us who loved him.
A memorial service to celebrate Ben’s life will be held Saturday, April 9, at 2 p.m. at Whidbey Presbyterian Church in Oak Harbor.
