Benjamin Clarence Webb

Ben Webb, 88, passed away surrounded by friends and family on October 8, 2014. Born on his grandparents’ sustenance farm in Roan Mountain, Tennessee, he and his mother, Novella, came west to Oregon in 1941 when his stepfather, Rev. Robert Donaldson answered the call to Shilo Baptist Church. He grew up in Montavilla, taking the streetcar into Portland for window shopping at Christmas. High school years were spent with family in Chicago, where he had a colorful summertime job as an elevator operator and began his hobby of photography.

A WWII veteran, he served as a Naval Sonar Operator, and subsequently graduated from the University of Oregon on the GI Bill with a BS in Economics and Financial Management. Involved in the Civil Rights movement in Oregon, he worked with student groups to end segregation. In 1963, Ben married the love of his life, a Finnish-American woman named Viola Wainio. They lived in Tanzania and Botswana, where Ben worked as a tax advisor and accountant for US AID, traveling extensively through Africa, Asia, South America and Europe, including a trip behind Stalin’s Iron Curtain. During the ’70s, Ben worked in the relocation section of PDC, to provide housing for individuals displaced by urban renewal.They settled in the Irvington area, raising their daughter and doing good work at many dinners and gatherings. Ben retired from Bonneville Power, where he was a Land Acquisitions Specialist for the federal government. He continued his love of service by volunteering on the board of OHSU’s Ethical Standards Willamette View Retirement Facility.

Ben had a love for the classics and was a founding  member of the Great Books Shakespeare Festival, now in its 56 ^th year. He made an annual pilgrimage to Ashland’s OSF, proud to have seen the entire canon of plays. Ben was an annual season ticket holder to many of the local theaters, symphonies and lecture series. In his final years, he continued his dedication to social justice through active participation in the founding of Leaven, a local social justice origination.

He is survived by his daughter, Damaris, son-in-law Michael Connor, and many nieces and nephews. Viola predeceased Ben in 2009. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and neighbors, people from 22- 92. A giant has fallen.

Funeral services at Salt & Light Church 5431 NE 20th Ave., Portland, Tue, October 21st. You are invited to bring a written memory, photo, or object to share for the Remembrances Table, starting at 10am.  Formal Service at 11 am. 1:30 pm internment following the funeral at Willamette National Cemetery, followed by a reception at the home of Byron and Anita Walters, 830 NE Tillamook Street, Portland.