Benjamin Otto Wohler Jr.

Benjamin Otto Wohler, Jr., 98, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on June, 20, 2017. The older of two children, he was born in Portland Dec. 6, 1918 to Ben and Maude (Urquhart) Wohler. Except for college and World War II, Ben lived his life in Northeast Portland, graduating from Rose City Park Elementary School in 1934 and Grant High School in 1937. He went to the University of Oregon, where during a geology lab field trip, he met Mildred Wilson of Eugene. They began dating, but the War caused him to enlist in the Navy, and he served as an instructor and pilot while stationed in Pensacola, Fl. Ben and Milly were married Aug. 6, 1945 in Eugene and embarked on a 55-year-marriage which, at her graveside in 2001, Ben called “a grand life.” He graduated from the University after the war. He was a member of Theta Chi fraternity where he met several lifelong friends. Once married, they settled in Northeast Portland, beneath the western edge of Rocky Butte where they lived in one of two houses for more than 50 years. He worked for Bennett & Williams, laying tile and linoleum for 20 years, then switched careers and worked as a property appraiser for Multnomah County. Ben was a skilled craftsman, making family furniture, building a 14-foot outboard boat, and even his own water skis. He collected and polished agates collected by the family during Oregon camping trips. Ben was a fisherman who enjoyed family fishing and camping trips to the Oregon Cascade lakes, as well as river and ocean salmon fishing and crabbing. He also enjoyed hiking into various mountain lakes, and at one time with two friends, owned a pack mule for even longer trips. In 1957, the family bought a lot at Blue Lake which had a crumbling cabin and dock. For several years, he toiled to rebuild the cabin and dock, and also built a boathouse; to this day, “The Lake” is a family haven. Ben always loved a boat and a lake, and as the years progressed, he moved up from the 14-foot outboard to Bayliner inboard-outboards. For more than 30 years, the family gathered for skiing and lakeside relaxation with close friends at Lake Chelan, the final time in 2001 just weeks before Milly’s death. He had a fondness and talent for photography. For years, he would take 8mm movies of the annual Thanksgiving festivities with friends, beaming high intensity lights at all to capture the moments. Later, he digitally converted various film and photo projects to ensure the family would be able to enjoy them across the generations. When his wife became travel editor of The Oregonian, he became her photographer. They traveled the world for 20 years as Milly’s wonderful stories were supplemented by Ben’s photography. When Ben was in the second grade, he met Dean Vincent who would become his best friend for the next 90 years. Together, they grew up together, went to college and war together, fished the world together and brought their families together. They spent the past six months as across-the-hall neighbors, talking about the old days, watching movies and TV together. “It’s the end of an era,” said Dean after Ben’s passing. After Milly’s death in 2001, Ben did not hibernate. He worked hard at maintaining social activities with long-time friends, but as he grew into his 90s, he found day-to-day living more difficult. He spent his last five years in assisted living. He is survived by two sons, Jeff (Mary) and John (Diane), granddaughter Kennedy (Kent) Hutsell and grandson Anders, and great grandson Fletcher Hutsell. He was preceded in death by his son Bill (1960), his wife Milly (2001) and his sister Helen (Murray) (2013). The family thanks Janice Johnson, his physical therapist the past five years for her devoted attention and to his extraordinary team at Kaiser Hospice for their care and attention during Ben’s final weeks. A private family graveside service has been held. It was a grand life, indeed.