Ben Perri

Ben Perri died on Jan. 5, 2004 in Denver. He was born Jan. 6, 1933 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he became an Eagle scout. Ben's parents moved to Ontario in 1946 and were members of Trinity United Methodist Church. After graduating from Chaffey High School in 1951, he earned his B.A. from York College in Nebraska and a theology degree from Portland Theological Seminary. He served as a youth minister at Covenant United Methodist Church in Pomona for several years, followed by a missionary ministry to rural Columbia, in South America. When he returned to the U.S., he earned a PhD in psychology from Michigan State University in 1973. He served as a mental health psychologist in De nver, and became a supervisor in the city's mental health department. Clients and colleagues held Ben in high esteem, made evident by the many who spoke at his Memorial Service. He also served as a nationwide mental health evaluator for accreditation, until his retirement in 2001. An outdoor enthusiast, he became an organizer and leader of white water river trips in Colorado and enjoyed hiking and exploring, not only in the U.S., but worldwide. In more recent years he led numerous Habitat for Humanity mis sions. Ben was an adventurous free spirit with a passion for roughing-it type of travel, going where ordinary tourist did not, visiting innumerable countries on six continents, including visiting every country in Central and South America. In more recent years his travels took him to several Asian countries of the former Soviet Union, including Uzbekistan and Turkestan. In the fall of 2002 he became ill while on a Habitat for Humanity venture in Ecuador and was flown to Miami where he was diagnosed with cancer. Ben is survived by his three children in Denver, Joel Kent, and Tica, and daughter-in-law Shelley, who became a close companion, caregiver and confidant while he struggled with cancer. Also surviving him are three children in Denver and three brothers, Frank of Rancho Cucamonga, Robert of Los Altos, and Vince of Kirkland, Washington; plus many nieces and nephews, including locally Michelle Conte of Upland and Michael Perri, now of Morris, Minnesota. Memorial services were held on January 9th at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, followed by inurnment at the side of Ben's wife, Simmie, who pre-deceased Ben in 1995. Ben's contagious laugh, firm but compassionate resolved, his indomitable spirit and his zest for life will be missed by all those who came to know him. Memorial contributions may be made in Ben's name to: Habitat For Humanity, 1500 W. 12th Avenue, Denver, Colo. 80204.