Bernard “Ben” Sylvester German was born Feb. 21, 1917, to Matt and Anna German in Guelph, N.D., and was one of 12 children. He grew up on a farm and was a farmer and horseman at heart, but due to war injuries sustained in the European theater during World War II it became impractical for him to pursue that lifestyle.

Ben married Audrey Olson and had three daughters: Laurel Goodwin of Oak Harbor, Lynnette Stair (Jeffrey) of Kennewick, and Benita Akins (Terry) of Shelton; and three sons, Randy (Lisa) of Mount Vernon, Scott of Scottsdale, Az., and Terry of Seattle. He had 14 grandchildren and four great-granddaughters, all of whom he loved very much and who loved him in return.

Ben was well known for many years in Oak Harbor as the local shoe repairman and through his business he befriended many of the local townspeople. He reveled in the conversations and friendships that he was afforded and went on to become a golfing buddy to many. Ben was known as “Gentle Ben” to those people and ot his many nieces and nephews who looked forward to his visits in North Dakota and California.

Ben passed away Feb. 17, 2007, in the Seattle Veterans Hospital just before his 90th birthday celebration but was surrounded in his last hours by his loving children and grandchildren as well as other family members, many of who had traveled from North Dakota, California and Delaware to be with him.

He was a man of great love, gentleness and acceptance of life and people. He gave much and was inspirational to his family and those who knew him. Ben left the world a better place and will be missed.

“My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it.”

Memorial services to be held at a later date.