Ben J. Esch

1945 - 2016

Ben Esch, retired Alaska Superior Court Judge in Nome, died on April 25, 2016 in Seattle, Wash., of leukemia at age 71. He was born on Jan. 4, 1945, to Robert and Ida Esch in Washington, Ill. After graduating from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill., he received his law degree from Arizona State University. He then moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where he worked for the Public Defender Agency. Judge Esch was appointed to the Superior Court in Nome in February 1996, and retired from the bench on Feb. 1, 2013, serving longer than any previous judge in Nome history. He was Presiding Judge for the Second Judicial District and a Member of the Alaska Judicial Conduct Commission. After retiring, Judge Esch served as a pro tem judge and as mentor judge to the Magistrate Judges. He brought to the court a heightened sensitivity to cross cultural concerns and was well respected in the community and region. Ben was a long time board member of Akeela House and served on state boards and councils related to alcohol and drug abuse. He advised the Nome Youth Court, was a Grand Officer in the Grand Igloo of the Pioneers of Alaska and served in various offices in Pioneer Igloo #1, including President. During all his years in Nome, he could be seen as a timer at the Iditarod finish line, wearing his signature polar bear hat and gloves as he checked in mushers. Ben Esch was a happy and positive person with a special sense of humor. His sparkling blue eyes and broad smile were known to all. He loved living in Nome. Ben Esch is survived by his partner and spouse, Jana Varrati; sons, Peter Esch (Tasha) and Nick Varrati (Tammy); daughter, Gianna Varrati; brother, Fred Esch (Sarajo); and by brother-in-law, Stephen Hanig (Tamara). He had four beloved grandchildren: Dylan and Isabella Simmons, Teagan Varrati and Kyle Jackson. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by son, Christian. Ben Esch was a Good Man. Memorial Services will be held in Anchorage on Aug. 11, 2016, at the Quarter Deck in the Captain Cook Hotel from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., and in Nome on Aug. 13, 2016, at Old St. Joe's Hall from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alaska Legal Services.