Benjamin Valentin

Ben Valentin Calo of Colorado Springs, Colorado beloved husband of Kathleen Alstrom-Valentin and father to Jami Valentin, Haylee Valentin, Ashley Valentin, Anna Gerber and Phillip Hernandez passed to rest in the arms of his Lord on Thursday, October 24th, 2024, after months of dealing with debilitating illness, Ben was 69.

Ben was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico to Benjamin Valentin Sierra and Hilda Valentin Calo. At about the tender age of one (1) his parents moved their young family, which included his older sister Nancy to Chicago, Illinois where his parents sought a better future for their family. His parents were baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist church where they became very active members at the Elmhurst SDA Church. There Ben and Nancy were known as the ‘Singing Valentin Children’ by many; they sang for many church services and events as a duo.

Ben attended elementary school at the Chicago SDA Spanish-Lake Shore school and North Shore Church SDA School. For his high school years Ben and his family returned to live in Carolina, Puerto Rico where he attended the SDA Academy in Rio Piedras, PR where he met many of his current lifelong friends. In PR, Ben became very active in quartet groups and even had the opportunity to merge his quartet group with the Kings Herald quartet on one occasion. On graduating from high school Ben decided to spread his wings and return to the US Mainland to study at Atlantic Union College. Over the years he studied electronics at Control Data Institute and later he earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree focused in Architectural Engineering / Construction Management from Pikes Peak State College. Ben’s first career gave him the opportunity to work as a Field Service Engineer in Puerto Rico and Massachusetts and as a Hardware Support Engineer in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thereafter he worked at a number of defense contracting companies as a Mechanical/Electrical CAD engineer and 3D Designer, retiring in 2022.

During his work years at Digital, Ben’s first marriage dissolved and eventually he was smitten by Kathleen who he married on July 21, 1996. They enjoyed 28 years of marriage filled with incredible home projects that Ben took on to improve their quality of life. Ben and Kathleen’s strong spiritual belief in God has kept them strong over the years. His greatest hope was that everyone would come to know his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Kathleen was at Ben’s side when the Lord called him to his rest.

Ben, son of Benjamin Valentin Sierra and Hilda Calo Morales (pre-deceased) is survived by his wife Kathleen Valentin and his children Jami & Megan Valentin, Haylee & John Springer, Ashley & Brandon Bittinger, Anastasia & Ryan Gerber, & Philip Hernandez. Sister Nancy Valentin-Soto and his brother-in-law Orlando Soto. Cherished grandchildren Roman & Cora Valentin, Summit & Bogan Springer, Violet Kulm, Brantley & Beckett Benjamin (due Jan 2025) Bittinger, Jarret & Evelyn Gerber, and Trinity Hernandez. Beloved Uncle to Jeanette & Frank Vigorito, Gruncle to Frankie (pre-deceased) & Alex Vigorito, and Lynette & Perry (pre-deceased) Li, Gruncle to Daniel Li.

A Celebration of Life for Ben will be held Thursday, October 31, 2024 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM at

Swan-Law Funeral Home 501 Cascade Ave. – Colorado Springs, CO 80903. A reception will follow.