Benjamin Curtis Harris

Ben’s family moved to Seattle, Washington then settled in Long Beach, California where he attended Jordan High School. He went on to attend Whittier College, then graduated from California State University at Long Beach. After college, he and his twin Bill went to work for the family business, Harris Fence Company in Long Beach, which today operates as an employee-owned company. Ben partnered with Bill on many business ventures, including Rampart General, Future Communities, and Ships Concrete. Together they built hundreds of apartment units across the California southland, which they continued to own after construction was completed.

The Harris Brothers not only built successful companies, but also excelled in athletics and academics. They generously gave their money and their hearts to their community. Ben and Bill are “a legend on the campus of Whittier College,” said Whittier’s President Sharon Herzberger, “Their generosity and dedication to the community are unprecedented.”

Ben was an active philanthropist, being heavily involved in philanthropic ventures for education, the arts, and disease research. He served on the Board of Trustees at the University of LaVerne, which he served as Chairman of the Board for many years. He and Barbara were primary donors for the University of LaVerne, the John Wayne Cancer Center, and long-time friends and donors to the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Ben was a devoted husband and family man. He traveled the world with his wife Barbara and generously made sure that their children and grandchildren were well provided for. Ben passed away peacefully at his son Andrew’s house in San Juan Capistrano, CA on March 5, 2021 from issues related to Parkinson’s Disease. He is survived by his brother Bill Harris, his sister Marilyn Sherman, his sons Curtis Harris, Randall Harris, and Andrew (Azin) Harris, his step-children Mark Doty, Kimberly (Steve) Bowen (né Doty), and Steve (Lori) Doty, and his ten loving grandchildren, Angelica, David, Christina, and Genevieve Bowen; Tara, Jessica, Gabrielle, and Eliza Doty; and Baron and Paisley Harris.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the University of LaVerne: https://laverne.edu.