Benjamin Frank Winslow

Benjamin Frank Winslow, 86, passed away on August, 28, 2015 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Waterloo, Iowa to Neal and Margaret (Eicher) Winslow on October 4, 1928. Ben is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maria, their son Bradford Neal and his wife Robin, their daughter Lori and her husband David Brenner, grandsons Keith Barnes and Matthew, and six nieces and four nephews.

As children, Ben and his sister Leatrice were accomplished unicyclists performing as “The Cycling Winslows”. Managed by their father, they toured the country to entertain at fairs and special club events. They were both still capable of riding a unicycle even into their eighties.

After Benjamin graduated from Waterloo High School, he served in the Marine Corps as a signal operator in Guam and China. He returned and attended Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls, IA where he met Maria. Ben continued his studies at Luther College in Decorah, IA graduating in 1952. He taught junior high school math and science classes and coached basketball, football and wrestling.

After moving to Michigan he became involved with the high school vocational education program in Muskegon. He later received a master’s degree at the University of Michigan in vocational education. The family moved to Niles where he spent the remainder of his career as the Director of Career and Vocational Education Program for high school students in Berrien County, MI. He received an award for outstanding leadership while serving as President of the Michigan Council of Vocational Administrators in 1976. In his various teaching and educational roles, Ben impacted the future careers and lives of many of his students.

Ben especially loved fly fishing: he would stand in a stream for hours with his fly rod. He was also very capable with his hands: he could fix anything and enjoyed remodeling their different homes. Ben and Maria loved to travel and would spent time on long trips in their motorhome seeing the country and visiting friends and family. They spent winters in Florida for sixteen years escaping the cold Michigan winters but enjoyed the summer months in their home in Whitehall overlooking White Lake. Benjamin was always active in community service, including various leadership roles in the Lions Club, president of his Good Sam RV club, as well as many church-related roles and programs.

When Alzheimer’s set in, Ben and Maria moved to Plano, TX to be close to their daughter’s family where he spent the remainder of his life. He received excellent care at The Legacy and through Hospice Compassus.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 26 at 5:00pm at Preston Meadow Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas.

Donations made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America would be appreciated. The link to their website is www.alzfdn.org/ContributetoAFA/makeadonation.html .