William Benton "Ben" RACE

1926 - 2017

RACE, William Benton "Ben" was born on March 14, 1926, in Bellflower, CA, and passed away May 1, 2017, in his home surrounded by loved ones. Ben spent his early years with family (mother, Lockey Elizabeth Ross, father, Harold Derrick Race, and sister, Betty Race Broom) in Chino, CA, where he graduated from Chino High School. There he met his high school sweetheart, Barbara Anne Davis. Ben sold his saxophone to buy Barbara's engagement ring. They were married September 28, 1944. During World War II, Ben joined the US Navy and served on US Navy destroyer escort, the USS MAC along China's coast. After his service, Ben attended and graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Berkeley School of Engineering. With his degree, he founded Brelje & Race Consulting Civil Engineers and Laboratories in 1960 with his longtime business partner, Walter Brelje. Among the firm's projects are Sea Ranch and Oakmont. Ben enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and friends. Some of his favorites included Hawaii, Rome, Ireland, and China. He and his two sons built a family vacation home at Lake Almanor, where his children and grandchildren gathered for family celebrations. As an avid supporter of his community, Ben gave back by serving 23 years on the Board of Trustees for the Sonoma Junior College District; Santa Rosa Junior College dedicated and named a building in his honor: the William B. Race Health Sciences Building. He also served as Chamber of Commerce President. Ben was a member of the American Society of Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. He was also a life member of the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club and gave continuing support as a member of Masonic Lodge No. 57 as a 33rd Degree Freemason. In addition to his civic service, he was also a tireless genealogist. For almost 40 years, Ben traveled all across the country, visiting cemeteries, libraries and distant relatives to seek out his ancestors. Ben is survived by his wife of 72 years, Barbara Race, four children, Judy (and Edward) Tabor, Robert Race, Harold Race, Nancy Race, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Ben's honor Saturday, May 13, 2017, at 10 a.m. at the Scottish Rite Center, 600 Acacia Lane, Santa Rosa. In lieu of owers, donations can be made to the following: SRJC Foundation Scholarship Fund William B Race, Barbara A Race, 1501 Mendocino Ave Santa Rosa, CA 95401-4395; California Scottish Rite Foundation Santa Rosa Speech Therapy Center, 625 Acacia Lane Santa Rosa, CA 95409; Shriners Hospital for Children of Northern California, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817.