Benjamin P. Schatz

Benjamin P. Schatz, 94, died at home in Des Plaines, Illinois, in the early hours of August 1, 2025. Ben enjoyed a wonderful life -- one he often described as "lucky." Though what Ben considers luck, may have a lot to do with his hard work and dedication. He was an engineer, a business owner, an avid vegetable gardener, a devoted husband to Alice for 68 years, and the proud father of five children. There seemed to be nothing mechanical that Ben couldn't build or fix. He was the longtime owner of ChemGrout® and the equipment he designed over 50 years ago is still in use all over the world. For years, his weekends were filled with building an addition onto the home in Des Plaines to accommodate his family, and he was always ready to lend a hand with a neighbor's home project. Ben was born on March 31, 1931, to Joseph and Katherina (nee Thomas) Schatz at the family homestead in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, the youngest of nine children. Farm life wasn't his calling, so life began to look up when his parents moved to Rapid City just before his freshman year of high school. Ben appreciated the many opportunities and jobs available in the city, and after graduating, went on to study civil engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. His studies were interrupted by the Korean Conflict. With his best friend, Ben enlisted in the Navy and learned sonar and radar technologies. After four years in the Navy, he returned to the SDSM&T to complete his degree. He and Alice were married before graduation and then moved to Jackson, Michigan after graduation to begin his first career job. Various jobs took Ben and family to Illinois: Blue Island, Wood Dale, and finally settling in Des Plaines and finding his life's work at ChemGrout, retiring a few years ago at age 91. Ben is survived by his wife, Alice Mae (nee Palmer), and his five children: Carol (David Rodgers), Joseph (Jeanne Duff), Julie (Peter Sussenguth), Thomas (Janet Fisher), Leanne (Bruce Trela), along with ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings Andrew, Michael, Anton (Tony), Margaret (Sister Gemma), Barbara, Frances, Mary, and Odilia (Tillie). Visitation Wednesday, August 13 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner Street, Des Plaines, Illinois. Funeral Mass/Celebration of Life Thursday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 794 Pearson St., Des Plaines. Interment All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.