Benjamin K. Hirsh

1945 - 2018

CHESTERTOWN - Benjamin Keisen Hirsh, 72, of Chestertown died peacefully in his home on Jan. 20, 2018.
Born in Hagerstown on April 2, 1945, he was the son of the late Herman Frankel Hirsh Jr. and Sara Ellen Keisen Hirsh. A graduate of West Nottingham Academy, Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Waynesburg College in 1969 and then went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in 1973 from Washington College. Ben also earned a doctorate in education from University of Maryland in 1986.
For the past 50 years, Ben dedicated his life to helping both students and teachers learn and grow. He started his career working for Kent County Public Schools in 1969 and officially retired from KCPS in 2000. During his time with KCPS, Ben was best known as the principal for Rock Hall and Worton elementary schools and as the supervisor of special education and pupil services.
After a few years of retirement, Ben became bored of watching John Wayne movies and returned to the classroom, teaching special education mathematics in Smyrna, Del. from 2003 until his second retirement in 2014. Most recently, after being bored by "M*A*S*H" reruns, Ben mentored new principals with KCPS over the past year.
Ben led a life full of many different passions. If he was not boating on the Chester, he could be found riding his motorcycle across the Eastern Shore or watching sunsets over the Bay in Rock Hall. While he loved Shore life, he also appreciated adventuring to other parts of the world: from jeeping in Colorado to exploring the Alaskan coastline or visiting London and Paris to snorkeling in Hawaii. Ben was a member Chester Lodge #115 AF&AM for over 40 years. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years Diane "Dee" Souder Hirsh; his son Bradley Hirsh of Allentown, Pa.; his daughter Leslie Hirsh Archer; son-in-law Charles, and grandson Nathaniel of Lansdale, Pa.; his two brothers Herman "Kelly" Hirsh III of Florida and Jason Hirsh of Cape May, N.J.; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at First United Methodist Church, Chestertown, where relatives and friends may call one hour prior to the service, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Special Olympics of Maryland (www.somd.org).
Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, Chestertown.
www.fhnfuneralhome.com



This obituary was originally published in The Star Democrat.