Ben,

Not sure how you befriended someone like me, but you did.  Your open heart and open mind always intrigued me, and undoubtably shaped who I am today.

Loved playing in a band with you and love the memories of our time together.  Buster Douglas 4ever!

for whoever the relative is that receieves this, im a teenager and i found bens band "i have dreams" a few years ago, they didnt release much music but they introduced me to a whole genre that feels like home please leave a flower for him, from me

Ben was family. I know nothing about him, but we share blood. One of our cousins stumbled on this obituary and shared it with us. It is sad, we had no clue. Our condolences to his family. Wish our relationship would have been different. 

I met Ben when I was 16 after throwing a punk rock prom at the Thunderdome on Valentine’s Day. It felt like an evening straight out of an 80’s movie. Jade and I had put flyers all over town. Our high school friends left pretty early and we were sitting there for ages waiting for Spike to come back with the keys. All of a sudden 15 people came in the door all dressed up as requested. That’s when we met Ben. Such a lucky night. He quickly became one of my favorite people in the world. 

He was so kind with a heart of gold. The kind of mischief we got up to were things like inventing new made up sports and playing them in the park late at night then running to the car and plugging in instruments at the bandshell. 

One time a couple of cops showed up and probably thought we looked like a big band of hooligans. They just laughed and said we should head home soon, comeback after sunrise so we all stayed up listening to records at a friends house. Staying up till the break of dawn was always a big thing. 

He spent so many hours trying to teach me guitar and music theory. I was hopeless but he never gave up on me. I still can’t play the guitar but the many hours we spent together and how kind he was trying to help will never be forgotten.  

He made a town that should have been boring so full of fun and magic. His had this uncanny knack for turning the simplest things into some of the best times. He always made sure that everyone felt included. 

To his family thanks for bringing such a wonderful person into the world. He was truly an original. Thank you for all the wonderful times when you welcomed me into your home so warmly. The space in my heart for him will always stay as will his memories. I wish he was still with us and I could see him one more time. 

I don’t think he ever truly knew how much he meant to everyone in his life. I hope you are somewhere up in the sky cranking your amp up to 11 with that warm silly smile of yours. 

Some of the best times of my life entailed spending time with Ben. His music will always be part of me...what a remarkably talented musician and lyricist.  I have a stick and poke tattoo he did on my wrist 13 years ago. Ha. I’m so grateful for the memories. I miss his sarcasm, short fuse, endearing sensitivity and big smile. For as hard as he could be around he edges, he sure could be profoundly sweet as pie to those he cared about. His soul was good.  

The last time I saw him was 2015 and the last time I spoke to him was 2018. I hope he has found peace.  #LeftAndLeaving 

Ben had, and has, my admiration and respect, both as a musician and as a person. He was sincere, sensitive, brilliant, and caring. I admired him for his sharp intellect and for his big heart.
He was a huge influence on me as a musician, embodying the emotional honesty and poetic nature of a true artist.
He had the rare quality of being genuinely interested in people, and when talking to him, I felt like I was being heard and understood deeply. 
He was the kind of person that, because of his depth of character, almost seemed like he  belonged to another time, but we were incredibly lucky to have him in ours. 

Ben was one of the most brilliant, talented, funny, charismatic, wild people I’ve ever known. I loved Ben from the very instant I met him when I was 16. Within days, he had chopped off my foot-long hippy braid and turned me into a little punk rocker. And, from then on, I spent practically every minute with him any time that I was in Tally. 

Endless late nights and long conversations, driving around town exploring new secret spots, sneaking into apartment complex hot tubs, singing songs, and watching the sunrise. For the longest time, it was only Ben’s phone number and my own home phone line that I had memorized. 

Ben is such a formative part of who I am, still to this day. When I’m meeting new people, I continue to feel his influence in the way I phrase questions. He had a supremely unique way of asking questions and getting people to open up. He would show you ways you were beyond special, but it was Ben who was the truly special one. I’ll treasure the memories of road trips and tours together forever and always miss him dearly.

Ben had a wild heart and a taste for adventure unlike anyone I have ever met. Rest easy Ben

Where to start... it’s hard to pick which memory to share. Like so many others have said, Ben was exceptionally great at being a true friend to everyone and anyone.
Some of my most cherished memories are with Ben. One of which I can’t share the details because we were being irresponsible, but it involved borrowing Luke’s moms’ broken car and make-believing we were flying a space ship. Luke if you read this, that was one of the most hilarious nights.  
Another, was the time we got our hands on  the “Pinkerton” album and sang our hearts out in Jennifer’s jeep over and over. We had no where to go we just drove around just to sing.
Our meet ups at New Leaf after school and eating those incredibly Spicy puffy chips -bags and bags at a time, (why were they so addicting), all just to talk about how school went or sometimes to read the new “ghetto youth” zine.
It’s so sad to hear of your passing, you meant so much to so many people.. you were always the “glue” that held us Tally kids together. I love you for all that you gave and shared, I’m honored to have had you in my life. Rest easy my dear friend.

Ben always made me smile when he came to our door.  He was an authentic and kind person and our family will always feel his loss.  Our condolences to his family.

A couple years back I pulled in for lunch at a wendy's when I noticed this guy staring at me from a few parking spaces over. He was this tall, lanky biker clad in leather from head to toe. The dude looked like mad Max with a red baron moustache (frozen pizza box red baron), but he was kicked back, sunning himself lazily on his Harley Davidson with his head resting on the handlebars and his boots crossed in he air while he slurped his drink though a straw. He looked like one of those dangerous Hell's Angel types, road hardened brutes; the kind that make other men start to doubt their own masculinity. I had every intention of giving him a wide berth as I walked in when suddenly he called out to me in a friendly voice "Matt Ralph, hey dude. Hey what's up man?"  I realized then it was Ben behind the mirrored shades and skull printed do-rag. I couldn't believe it! Ben Seals!  One of most sincerely kind, gentle, open-minded people ever. A true blue good guy if ever there was one.

Ben and I became friends when I was an awkward big teenager who didn't really fit in with any particular group. 

He was confident but nice and accepting. I didn't skate, I wasn't in a band, or anything, and he always invited me to hang. 

The laughs with Ben, Alan, Sam, Steve, and others was what I'll always remember. 



Ben was the type of dude to see a new kid at a show awkwardly standing around alone, and go out of his way to introduce himself and welcome them. He was an exceptional human being with a heart of gold and a philosopher's mind, and the world is lucky to have had him in it.

When I think of Ben I always think of Ben with Allen, whether on stage, or just hanging out, they had a love/energy like a supernova. I remember most Ben’s sincerity. I am blessed to have known him and to have had the privilege to call him friend.  Rest In Peace my brother.

Little Ben, you always gave such big hugs.  Your niece thought you were the coolest with your tattoos and your guitar playing skills.  She loved singing with you.  You were incredibly smart and the best at conversation.  Your brother, your nieces, your family, friends and I, will forever miss you.  

I was friends with Ben at Lincoln and maintained connection for a few years after. Ben was always so kind to me when others may not have been. I was very sad to see of his passing. My deepest sympathy to his family and close friends. 

It is a terrible shame to hear of your passing, meeting you and all the other great friends I made in Tallahassee is still one of my most cherished memories, and a time in my life that forever changed me. I owe you and everyone else who showed me friendship a tremendous debt. Rest easy friend.


We have many fond memories of Ben..

Please accept our deepest sympathy.

Ben was my first love and partner. I’ll always be grateful for all he taught me. 

Rest In Peace, Ben. We hadn’t spoken for many years, but my memories of getting to know Ben and the rest of the Tally family are some of my most cherished. Condolences to Ben’s family and friends. 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Walter Benjamin Seals III

20 janvier 1981 – 7 février 2021

Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home

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