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
Ben Douglas
Ben Douglas & John Cobb
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.
Our Brother Ben is now in trouble for sure. But he was clear and sharp when we talked together and had lucid memories of our time as Brothers in the Phi Delta Tau Fraternity 54 years ago.
Cause of supranuclear palsy
Progressive supranuclear palsy, also called Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, is an uncommon brain disorder that causes serious problems with walking, balance and eye movements. The disorder results from deterioration of cells in areas of your brain that control body movement and thinking.
Progressive supranuclear palsy worsens over time and can lead to life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia and swallowing problems. There’s no cure for progressive supranuclear palsy, so treatment focuses on managing the signs and symptoms.
So, Brother’s Make Every Day from this Day on Count…
Life is Short…Make it Sweet….Love, John
My Heart goes out to Carol, Amy, Benny, and Jeff regarding the passing of their husband, and father.
Ben Douglas was a great friend we were fraternity brothers at Central College in Pella Iowa for three years and we both went on to the University of Iowa Business Graduate School and roomed there together for several years.
I was fortunate to have seen Ben before he went on Hospice in Oskaloosa on June 8th when Carol took me to visit Ben at his nursing home. I was there for a fraternity reunion in Pella that Ben so wanted to attend but he was not physically able to do so. Our meeting was very upbeat and positive and while Ben was very ill, I could see the Old Ben in his face- It was a grand meeting.
Ben was a hard-working man in college and in his work and was a great provider supporter of his family. Ben was a man of with a very strong sense of what was right and wrong and on numerous occasions I saw him stand up for what was right when many other folks could not see thru the situation and respond.
I have only positive and fond memories of my Friend Ben. We were very close and had so many wonderful boyhood type times and experiences together and I will always remember those times with Ben.
Ben had a powerful love for Carol and his three children, and his six grandchildren and I know they will all miss him dearly. Ben told me several years ago when he was 75 that he had a good life and he had made peace with his rare illness. He was a very strong man.
I feel a loss and hollowness knowing that Ben is not here. But I know my loss is no where as strong as his family’s. I know that everyone who ever met Frank Ben Douglas was better for the experience- I know that because I witnessed it many times.
I know Ben would have enjoyed the Iowa Hawkeye’s football victory yesterday.
I know Ben was Happy when the Cubs won the World Series recently.
I Loved Ben with all my heart and I am proud to admit that I cried while writing this Memory for Ben and His family. To Me There was No Better Man-EVER!
I hope for the Stek Family that What Cheer High School has a winning football season this year. Go What Cheer!!!
Finally, I congratulate Carol on putting Ben in the MHP Serenity Hospice House in Oskaloosa because Hospice is the best thing, we have done for ourselves as humans and most folks wait too long to put loved one’s on Hospice.
Ben Douglas May you Rest in Peace- Love You Man!
Love You Carol!
And Love you Amy and Benny and Jeff and your families.
Frank Benjamin Douglas Jr, 77, of Oskaloosa, died Sunday, September 1, 2019, at MHP Serenity Hospice House in Oskaloosa. He was born January 26, 1942 to Frank Benjamin Sr. and Mary (Van Damme) Douglas in Grinnell, Iowa. He attended Regis High School and graduated with the Class of 1960. After high school he attended Creighton College for a year before transferring to Central College. Ben graduated from Central College and attended the University of Iowa as a grad student.
On August 13, 1966, he was united in marriage to Carol Leigh Stek in Iowa City. To that marriage 3 children were born – Amy, Frank III and Jeff. Ben was employed at Maytag until he took a job at Bloom Builders. He retired from Bloom Builders and worked part time for 2 years at Menards in Ottumwa. Ben enjoyed coaching little league for his children when they were young. Ben was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa and served as a past Parish Council President and Lector. He was also member of the South-Central Iowa Bass Club and enjoyed fishing and hunting with his friends and family.
Ben was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan and learned a love of football from his father who coached at the University of Iowa. Above all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Carol Douglas of Oskaloosa; his children, Amy (Tom) Wigginton and Ben (Chrissie) Douglas all of Denver, CO and Jeff (Pam) Douglas of Davenport, IA; his grandchildren, Kaya, Abby, Luke, Payton, Austin and Vaughn; his in-laws, Randy (Jean) Walston, Kathy Schadel and Steve and Kim Stek. Ben is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a twin brother in infancy and his mother and father-in-law.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa, with Fr. John Spiegel officiating. Burial will follow services in St Mary’s Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 in the Bates Funeral Chapel beginning after 12 noon with the family present at the funeral chapel from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to MHP Serenity Hospice House.
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