Ben Warren Obituary

WARREN, Ben
Ben Warren passed away on December 16, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California after a hard-fought battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He was born on February 26, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ben graduated from Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City, OK in 1980 and from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas in 1984, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and real estate. While at SMU, Ben was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Upon graduating from SMU, Ben was named Assistant Project Manager / Leasing Agent for Wiggins-Gray in Dallas. Ben's career also included being the Vice President of Marketing for the Warren Corporation in Dallas and Los Angeles, the Director of Corporate Relations and Development at the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce (including serving as the Director of Development for the Insights World Conference). Ben was also the Regional Director of Corporate Partnerships for the House of Blues in Los Angeles. In 2004, Ben and a business partner, Jamie Shorthill, started Brand Impact, an entertainment marketing company focused on securing sponsorships for a variety of musical, theatrical and other entertainment projects. Ben will most be remembered by the impact he had on other people's lives. He was a friend to everyone and will be fondly remembered for his love of life and adventure, his infectious smile, eternal optimism, generous and gentle spirit and unyielding courage in the face of adversity. Ben is survived by his life partner Fred Kiehne, his mother Romayne Warren of Dallas, father John Warren and wife Karin Warren of Oklahoma City and La Jolla, Ca., brothers Courtney Warren, Mark Warren, Ed Warren, nieces Madison, Olivia, and Chelsea, nephews Jeremy, Jack and Luke, stepbrother Dick Hardin and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends. All who knew Ben were blessed by his life and love. "We love you and miss you. Your memories are in our every waking moments." We give our most sincere thanks to the staff of Cedars Sinai Hospital. We will always be grateful for the treatment and dignity Ben received from the doctors and staff. A celebration of life party will be held in Ben's honor in Los Angeles on February 26, 2006, which would have been his 44th birthday. All of his friends from across the country are invited to attend. If interested, you may contact Fred Kiehne. Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or to AIDS Research Alliance.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Jan. 22, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Ben Warren

1 Entry

Richard Flannery

January 24, 2006

Dear Fred, Mrs. Romayne Warren, Mr. John and Karen Warren and the entire Ben Warren family...I am Richard and I have known Ben as a friend and colleague in San Diego for a number of years....especially when he was at the Chamber heavily leading the "insights" and my offices are directly above the Chamber...we were definitely elevator buddies!

It seems we would run into each other all times of the day and his energy and smile was always, as you said, infectious and brought a smile to me instantly. The smile and happiness was always returned and we usually made plans to get together to do something fun.

His leadership in Insights brought such fabulous speakers, wonderful receptions to meet these speakers on a one and one basis and that era is sorely missed in San Diego. I remember one night meeting Walter Cronkite upclose and personal, and it seemed like I was back in Washington, D. C. where I used to work but no...it seemed east does meet west and Ben had been a part of bringing that world flavor to San Diego. To describe Ben as a "class act" is to be right on the point and by saying that, he also was including, fun and very caring. I had no idea he was so ill so this came as a complete shock to me. I am still digesting the news. I would very much like to be a part of the celebration of his life on his 44th birthday. Fred, if you could either call me at 619-232-4304 or email me (or both) my sister, Joyce, and myself would love to attend. We own The Flannery Group, which is a 20-year old public releations and governmental relations firm.

I am so sorry for all of your losses. Although I haven't seen Ben in a while, in reading and writing this note, it takes me immediately back to the last time I saw him in San Diego. It is so sad to lose him so young. I do know he did live a full life, if there is anything I know about Ben, his personality and openness stetched him all the way to the finish. We all love and miss him and we should because he was a great guy! Love, Richard

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