Ben Arthur Rich

1947 - 2018

Ben Rich died of prostate cancer at age 71 on September 29, 2018 at his home in Sacramento, CA. He was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1947 to Ben M. and Betty L. Rich, both of whom predeceased him. When he was young the family moved to Peoria, Illinois where Ben remembers a happy childhood with loving parents. He graduated from Richwoods High School in 1965 and from DePauw University in 1969. His junior year was spent in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews, one of the happiest years of his life. Ben obtained a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis and earned a PhD in philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ben practiced law in North Carolina for 10 years, including 2 years as legal counsel to the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill. He moved to Denver, Colorado in 1984 to become chief legal counsel to the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. In 1986 he became University Counsel for the University of Colorado system. In 1991 Ben entered his academic career, teaching at the University of Colorado School of Law and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center while pursuing a PhD in philosophy. He was then invited to join the faculty of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. In 2000, Ben joined the faculty of the University of California at Davis. He was a tenured professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and the Division of Pain Medicine, headed the School of Medicine's Bioethics Program, and held the School of Medicine Alumni Association Endowed Chair for Bioethics. In 2015 he assumed Emeritus status. Ben was very active professionally throughout the University with a focus on a range of ethical and legal aspects of medical practice. In addition, he taught for several years at the UC-Davis Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine and at the McGeorge School of Law. His extensive professional contributions include numerous articles, books, book chapters, scholarly reviews, visiting professorships, lectures and presentations, and editorial responsibilities for scholarly and professional journals, together with university and community service. Ben was a serious thinker, scholarly writer and erudite speaker. He enjoyed the respect and admiration of his colleagues and was held in the highest esteem by his peers and students. Ben was a tireless champion for patients and their right to control their own health care, especially at the end of life. He was a recognized national and international ethics expert and a great teacher. Ben was cherished by colleagues across the country, not only for his scholarly contributions but for his inquisitive spirit and concern for others. Ben was a kind and gentle person. He was a critical thinker who questioned conventions in a dispassionate and careful manner. He had a dry sense of humor and a healthy skepticism. He was a devotee of H.L. Mencken, Robert Ingersoll and Robinson Jeffers, and he read extensively across many genres. His favorite books and movies included Inherit the Wind, Cold Comfort Farm and A Child's Christmas in Wales. His musical tastes ranged from Dan Fogelberg to George Winston to Peter, Paul and Mary. He enjoyed a glass of red wine with dinner and a wee tawny port in the evening. Ben is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen Mills, whom he met when they both served as legal counsel at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Ben is also survived by his sister Judy A. Rich of Westlake Village, California, and by his precious cat Pico. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the UC-Davis Cancer Center, the Sacramento SPCA, or to the charity of your choice.