Ben Morris Van Beber Jr, of Cookeville, Tennessee passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 30, 2022. He was born on December 2, 1929 in Middlesboro, Kentucky to the late Ben Morris and Mary Stallings Van Beber.
He was predeceased by his loving wife: Ruth Sledge Van Beber. Ben was followed in death by his beloved sister: Martha "Joan" Range.
Ben attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation, Ben enlisted in the Air Force for a four year tour and was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. He later attended the University of Southern California earning a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. Ben was a graduate student instructor and taught the very first class in radar at USC.
While stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, Ben was set up a blind date with a student at Blue Mountain College. It was on that blind date that Ben was introduced to the love of his life, Ruth Sledge Van Beber, and it was truly "love at first sight" for both of them. Ben and Ruth were married on October 2, 1953 in Shaw, Mississippi and their love and devotion would continue for over 67 years. Following their wedding, Ben and Ruth made their first home near the military base in Biloxi.
Once Ben left the military, they planned to settle near their families in the south, however, God had a different plan for them. Ben accepted a job with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles, California, where they would remain for 10 years and where God blessed them with 3 children. In 1965, Ben was offered a position with IBM working on the NASA space program in Huntsville, Alabama, and they would spend the next 20 years there before he ended his career with an eight year assignment in Houston, Texas. Ben was a valued member of the IBM space team. Ben played an integral role in the navigation and guidance system of the Von Braun Saturn V rocket. He continued his career into the '90s working on the Skylab and Space Lab programs.
Ben planned to retire after 25 years but because of his unique knowledge and experience in designing computer hardware IBM asked him to come out of retirement and work for two more years. Finally in 1992, Ben officially retired from IBM and Ben and Ruth sought a quiet life in the South close to the Smoky Mountains. They picked Cookeville for their final home.
Ben was a loving and devoted husband, son, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was so proud of his family. Ben loved life and lived it joyfully with a strong faith and love for his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He sought to live each day showing God's love and compassion to everyone around him. Ben was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for over 50 years.
Ben had a kind and caring spirit and loved his family, church, and friends. He also enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening and had a talent for fixing anything. In the summer of 2001, Ben and Ruth fulfilled a very important item on their bucket list, they visited Alaska. They drove their motorhome from Cookeville to Alaska and back, camping along the way. The trip was life-changing for both of them and they had the time of their lives.
Ben leaves behind his daughter, Melna Ruth Van Beber, of Old Hickory, Tennessee; sons, Robert (Lisa) "Bob" Lawrence Van Beber, of Atlanta, Georgia and William "Bill" Morris Van Beber, of Asheville, North Carolina; five grandchildren, William Collier Van Beber, Brittany (Dalton) Noel Hensley, Carl (Marissa) Stallings Van Beber, Reese (AllyBeth) Walker Van Beber and Owen Patrick Van Beber; seven great-grandchildren, Bowen Walker Van Beber, Anderson ("Andee") Reese Van Beber, Collier James Van Beber, Colton Stallings Van Beber and Benjamin ("Benji") Sledge Van Beber; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held at Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc, Mississippi, on Saturday, October 22, 2022 with Dr. Ken Hester officiating. Burial of Ben Morris and Ruth Sledge Van Beber followed the service at Guinn Cemetery in Toccopola, Mississippi.
He was predeceased by his loving wife: Ruth Sledge Van Beber. Ben was followed in death by his beloved sister: Martha "Joan" Range.
Ben attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation, Ben enlisted in the Air Force for a four year tour and was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. He later attended the University of Southern California earning a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. Ben was a graduate student instructor and taught the very first class in radar at USC.
While stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, Ben was set up a blind date with a student at Blue Mountain College. It was on that blind date that Ben was introduced to the love of his life, Ruth Sledge Van Beber, and it was truly "love at first sight" for both of them. Ben and Ruth were married on October 2, 1953 in Shaw, Mississippi and their love and devotion would continue for over 67 years. Following their wedding, Ben and Ruth made their first home near the military base in Biloxi.
Once Ben left the military, they planned to settle near their families in the south, however, God had a different plan for them. Ben accepted a job with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles, California, where they would remain for 10 years and where God blessed them with 3 children. In 1965, Ben was offered a position with IBM working on the NASA space program in Huntsville, Alabama, and they would spend the next 20 years there before he ended his career with an eight year assignment in Houston, Texas. Ben was a valued member of the IBM space team. Ben played an integral role in the navigation and guidance system of the Von Braun Saturn V rocket. He continued his career into the '90s working on the Skylab and Space Lab programs.
Ben planned to retire after 25 years but because of his unique knowledge and experience in designing computer hardware IBM asked him to come out of retirement and work for two more years. Finally in 1992, Ben officially retired from IBM and Ben and Ruth sought a quiet life in the South close to the Smoky Mountains. They picked Cookeville for their final home.
Ben was a loving and devoted husband, son, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was so proud of his family. Ben loved life and lived it joyfully with a strong faith and love for his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He sought to live each day showing God's love and compassion to everyone around him. Ben was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for over 50 years.
Ben had a kind and caring spirit and loved his family, church, and friends. He also enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening and had a talent for fixing anything. In the summer of 2001, Ben and Ruth fulfilled a very important item on their bucket list, they visited Alaska. They drove their motorhome from Cookeville to Alaska and back, camping along the way. The trip was life-changing for both of them and they had the time of their lives.
Ben leaves behind his daughter, Melna Ruth Van Beber, of Old Hickory, Tennessee; sons, Robert (Lisa) "Bob" Lawrence Van Beber, of Atlanta, Georgia and William "Bill" Morris Van Beber, of Asheville, North Carolina; five grandchildren, William Collier Van Beber, Brittany (Dalton) Noel Hensley, Carl (Marissa) Stallings Van Beber, Reese (AllyBeth) Walker Van Beber and Owen Patrick Van Beber; seven great-grandchildren, Bowen Walker Van Beber, Anderson ("Andee") Reese Van Beber, Collier James Van Beber, Colton Stallings Van Beber and Benjamin ("Benji") Sledge Van Beber; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held at Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc, Mississippi, on Saturday, October 22, 2022 with Dr. Ken Hester officiating. Burial of Ben Morris and Ruth Sledge Van Beber followed the service at Guinn Cemetery in Toccopola, Mississippi.
Ben Morris Van Beber Jr, of Cookeville, Tennessee passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 30, 2022. He was born on December 2, 1929 in Middlesboro, Kentucky to the late Ben Morris and Mary Stallings Van Beber.
He was predeceased by his loving wife: Ruth Sledge Van Beber. Ben was followed in death by his beloved sister: Martha "Joan" Range.
Ben attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation, Ben enlisted in the Air Force for a four year tour and was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. He later attended the University of Southern California earning a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. Ben was a graduate student instructor and taught the very first class in radar at USC.
While stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, Ben was set up a blind date with a student at Blue Mountain College. It was on that blind date that Ben was introduced to the love of his life, Ruth Sledge Van Beber, and it was truly "love at first sight" for both of them. Ben and Ruth were married on October 2, 1953 in Shaw, Mississippi and their love and devotion would continue for over 67 years. Following their wedding, Ben and Ruth made their first home near the military base in Biloxi.
Once Ben left the military, they planned to settle near their families in the south, however, God had a different plan for them. Ben accepted a job with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles, California, where they would remain for 10 years and where God blessed them with 3 children. In 1965, Ben was offered a position with IBM working on the NASA space program in Huntsville, Alabama, and they would spend the next 20 years there before he ended his career with an eight year assignment in Houston, Texas. Ben was a valued member of the IBM space team. Ben played an integral role in the navigation and guidance system of the Von Braun Saturn V rocket. He continued his career into the '90s working on the Skylab and Space Lab programs.
Ben planned to retire after 25 years but because of his unique knowledge and experience in designing computer hardware IBM asked him to come out of retirement and work for two more years. Finally in 1992, Ben officially retired from IBM and Ben and Ruth sought a quiet life in the South close to the Smoky Mountains. They picked Cookeville for their final home.
Ben was a loving and devoted husband, son, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was so proud of his family. Ben loved life and lived it joyfully with a strong faith and love for his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He sought to live each day showing God's love and compassion to everyone around him. Ben was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for over 50 years.
Ben had a kind and caring spirit and loved his family, church, and friends. He also enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening and had a talent for fixing anything. In the summer of 2001, Ben and Ruth fulfilled a very important item on their bucket list, they visited Alaska. They drove their motorhome from Cookeville to Alaska and back, camping along the way. The trip was life-changing for both of them and they had the time of their lives.
Ben leaves behind his daughter, Melna Ruth Van Beber, of Old Hickory, Tennessee; sons, Robert (Lisa) "Bob" Lawrence Van Beber, of Atlanta, Georgia and William "Bill" Morris Van Beber, of Asheville, North Carolina; five grandchildren, William Collier Van Beber, Brittany (Dalton) Noel Hensley, Carl (Marissa) Stallings Van Beber, Reese (AllyBeth) Walker Van Beber and Owen Patrick Van Beber; seven great-grandchildren, Bowen Walker Van Beber, Anderson ("Andee") Reese Van Beber, Collier James Van Beber, Colton Stallings Van Beber and Benjamin ("Benji") Sledge Van Beber; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held at Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc, Mississippi, on Saturday, October 22, 2022 with Dr. Ken Hester officiating. Burial of Ben Morris and Ruth Sledge Van Beber followed the service at Guinn Cemetery in Toccopola, Mississippi.
He was predeceased by his loving wife: Ruth Sledge Van Beber. Ben was followed in death by his beloved sister: Martha "Joan" Range.
Ben attended the University of Kentucky and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation, Ben enlisted in the Air Force for a four year tour and was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. He later attended the University of Southern California earning a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. Ben was a graduate student instructor and taught the very first class in radar at USC.
While stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, Ben was set up a blind date with a student at Blue Mountain College. It was on that blind date that Ben was introduced to the love of his life, Ruth Sledge Van Beber, and it was truly "love at first sight" for both of them. Ben and Ruth were married on October 2, 1953 in Shaw, Mississippi and their love and devotion would continue for over 67 years. Following their wedding, Ben and Ruth made their first home near the military base in Biloxi.
Once Ben left the military, they planned to settle near their families in the south, however, God had a different plan for them. Ben accepted a job with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles, California, where they would remain for 10 years and where God blessed them with 3 children. In 1965, Ben was offered a position with IBM working on the NASA space program in Huntsville, Alabama, and they would spend the next 20 years there before he ended his career with an eight year assignment in Houston, Texas. Ben was a valued member of the IBM space team. Ben played an integral role in the navigation and guidance system of the Von Braun Saturn V rocket. He continued his career into the '90s working on the Skylab and Space Lab programs.
Ben planned to retire after 25 years but because of his unique knowledge and experience in designing computer hardware IBM asked him to come out of retirement and work for two more years. Finally in 1992, Ben officially retired from IBM and Ben and Ruth sought a quiet life in the South close to the Smoky Mountains. They picked Cookeville for their final home.
Ben was a loving and devoted husband, son, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was so proud of his family. Ben loved life and lived it joyfully with a strong faith and love for his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He sought to live each day showing God's love and compassion to everyone around him. Ben was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for over 50 years.
Ben had a kind and caring spirit and loved his family, church, and friends. He also enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening and had a talent for fixing anything. In the summer of 2001, Ben and Ruth fulfilled a very important item on their bucket list, they visited Alaska. They drove their motorhome from Cookeville to Alaska and back, camping along the way. The trip was life-changing for both of them and they had the time of their lives.
Ben leaves behind his daughter, Melna Ruth Van Beber, of Old Hickory, Tennessee; sons, Robert (Lisa) "Bob" Lawrence Van Beber, of Atlanta, Georgia and William "Bill" Morris Van Beber, of Asheville, North Carolina; five grandchildren, William Collier Van Beber, Brittany (Dalton) Noel Hensley, Carl (Marissa) Stallings Van Beber, Reese (AllyBeth) Walker Van Beber and Owen Patrick Van Beber; seven great-grandchildren, Bowen Walker Van Beber, Anderson ("Andee") Reese Van Beber, Collier James Van Beber, Colton Stallings Van Beber and Benjamin ("Benji") Sledge Van Beber; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held at Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc, Mississippi, on Saturday, October 22, 2022 with Dr. Ken Hester officiating. Burial of Ben Morris and Ruth Sledge Van Beber followed the service at Guinn Cemetery in Toccopola, Mississippi.
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