Benjamin Ebling II

Dr. Ebling got me to stop waiting for the right time for things to happen and rather to do things now. He didn't ask if I was going to study in France, but when. And so, in 1980, I left to study in Rennes. It was the first of many trips to Europe with friends and students. Dr. Ebling believed in me and now I try to pass on to my students that same confidence that he gave to me. I am only sorry I am writing it here and not thanking him once more for all he did.

As far back as I can remember, Ben was my "Tonton Ben." Tonton is a French term of endearment for an uncle, like the male counterpart to the English term "auntie."

My father and I speak French, so this was a fitting name for me to call him. He was a special part of my life, since I was a little girl. I always enjoyed the time I spent with him and Moyra. He will be missed dearly!

Je t'aime mon "Tonton," je t'aime toujours!!!

I'll always remember fondly the times our families got together, either at the Fish Lake Cottage or at the home on Kalamazoo Street. I enjoyed sharing his interest in stamp collecting. When I first displayed an interest in golf Uncle Ben kindly provided me with golf balls to hit into somebody else's back yard. Later in life I enjoyed ribbing him on the rare occassion that MSU would beat UM in football.

I'll miss you, Uncle Ben.

Love, Ken II

Go with God, Ben.

Sister Susan

I am a former student of Monsieur Ebling. I graduated in 1992 from WMU. I have been teaching both French and Spanish for 13 years. I am currently writing this from Spain where I am studying. My mom, knowing how much I loved him, wrote me to tell me about his death.

I took three classes with him and would have taken more if I could. I changed my schedule around to make room for a class for him. He was very influential in my decision to become a language teacher. And through the...

Ben wasn't an uncle by blood, but we called him "uncle" because he was so kind to our family. As the previous writer alluded, he could be fastidious, but his heart was always in the right place. He helped my parents out when my father had to go to the UM hospital for chemo treatments, often accompanying my folks for the trip. Ben took up the quest to bug me to finish my dissertation after my father died (and I did finally finish!). Ben also befriended and gave some guidance to my nephew...

For as long as I can remember I have always looked up to uncle Ben. He may have been grumpy, and seemed to not get along with some, but he always was curious as to how I was doing in my worldly endeavors as a young sailor in the navy. I will always remember Uncle Ben as the kind of warm-hearted soul he was, and the character he brought into a room with his presence. I am sorry Uncle Ben, I made you a promise I couldn't keep. You said your new goal was to make it to April when I last saw...