Phi Delta Tau Reunion Memory Book Page for Ben Douglas Class of 1965
Ben Douglas Central Major: Business Administration & Economics
106 Solar Drive Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
Person's name here
Person's name here
What fills my Hours; – Ben as know has Supranuclear Cerebral Palsy and he has been in a nursing home in Oskaloosa Iowa since January of 2019 and more recently is on Hospice at the Hospice House in Oskaloosa where his wife Carol Visits him daily. I have not put an email or phone numbers in for Ben as he can’t use the phone and is unable now to access his emails.
Family/Children; – Ben and Carol were married just after he graduated from the University of Iowa Grad School. They have three Children. Amy Douglas, Jeff Douglas and Benny Douglas. Amy is the oldest living in Colorado and has adopted two children and has a successful career. Benny is also in Colorado with a young family and is a successful businessman. Jeff lives in Ottumwa Iowa on the River and is in the criminal corrections business. Carol is a retired Registered Nurse (RN) who worked for the VA Hospital for all of her career. Upon retirement Carol worked part time for Hospice in Oskaloosa Iowa where she and Ben have lived all their lives.
After Central; – Ben and John Cobb both left Central and attended the University of Iowa both receiving Master of Arts Degrees in Business and Economics. After Graduation Ben bought half interest in a Pole Barn Manufacturing Company and spent his career as Part Owner and then bought out his partner and Ben Was the President and CEO of Bloom Builders’ Ben Douglas was known all over Iowa for building quality pole barns at a fair price. Ben even build a new Pole Barn for fellow PDT graduate Tom Van Beek after his barn burnt down. Brother Ben even advised John Cobb when he was building his 30 X 40 Barn on Cobb’s Knob in Ireland WV. Ben was not well and said he envied John’s ability to be our working in his woods as been in the fall of 2017 was not able to walk with his
Phi Delta Tau Memories- Ben loved playing harmonica at all the PDT parties every chance he got! Ben’s music abilities were self-taught and made each party even more memorable. He loved pigeon and Pheasant hunting with Curt Paul Dale Diamond and John Cobb. In the 70’s and early 80’s Ben helped John Cobb organize PDT Reunion’s in Pella and it was fun attending those reunions with our families as we all had young kids who loved roaming thru the PDT house which was still standing and a big part of Fraternity life in those days.
Update on Ben Douglas Phi Delta Tau & Central Graduate 1965
Ben was always the prettiest of us all.
Ben was a Central Track Star and was always a positive contributor at all Phi Delt Functions.
Ben as you may know could not make the Reunion in Pella in June.
Ben Has Supranuclear Cerebral Palsy and he has been in a nursing home in Oskaloosa Iowa for 8 months until this past week when his wife Carol moved him and put him on Hospice at the Hospice Home in Oskaloosa.
Ben and I were very close friends even before we joined the Phi Deltas.
After Central Ben and I went to Iowa City and both attended the University of Iowa and got our master’s degrees in business. Ben went on to buy into and co-own and manage a successful Pole Barn Business. Building barns, shelters, garages and other structures all over the State of Iowa. Ben was a true entrepreneur. And one of the finest Men I have ever known.
During the Reunion I left the morning of the College Tour on Saturday and went to Oskaloosa and visited with Ben and Carol. It was very hard for me that morning.
This past week Carol had their son Jeff come and help move Ben to Hospice. Ben’s left foot is turned in and he can’t walk. Ben had a fall two years ago and damaged his left arm and hand which do not work so well. He has had Neuropathy of his leg from this fall. Carol says it is like the affects you would have from a stroke.
Carol says Ben has a great appetite and the morning of my visit he had 4 pancakes, three sausage paddies, scrambled eggs and toast and oatmeal. She says he just vacuums his plate at each meal amazing. But she says he coughs a lot when he eats.
Ben can’t talk on the phone and he can’t read my letters too well, Carol tells me. I have been sending Ben two letters a week since November of 2018 when we started working on the Reunion.
Carol told me once he was in the nursing home, he would tell her each day when she visited him,” I want to be alive in June so I can go to the Reunion John is planning and see everyone. I just have to go to that Reunion.”
Unfortunately, Ben could not control his water and such, so it was impossible for him to make it to Pella in June. So that’s why I went to see him, and I am glad I did. He remembered me and we chatted about old times and he asked about Betty who he knew from all my letters.
Carol says at Hospice this week they have put a catheter in Ben as it is almost impossible to get him up to move him to the bathroom.
Ben told Carol, “look at this they have me peeing in a bag…I guess this is the end of me? Now I will not be able to go home ever again.”- SAD.
Carol Douglas has been a Registered Nurse since before Ben and I graduated Central. She told me when you write to the Fraternity members about Ben’s Condition please make sure you let them know that it is important to live each day to your fullest as you never know what is coming in life after the age of 70. I am sure they all know that Health is all that is important at this time of our lives. And Ben is a perfect example of how fast things can change. So, Enjoy Each Day of your life While You Can!
Ben’s eyes don’t focus clearly, and he looks to the left of you when talking to you. Here is his 1965 Graduation Photo followed by the photo Carol took of he and I together in his nursing home room.