Benjamin Hilborn Oehlert III
Benjamin Hilborn Oehlert III
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Benjamin Oehlert Obituary
a sudden illness.
Born on February 26, 1938, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Benjamin Hilborn
Oehlert, Jr. and Alice Naomi Oehlert (Green). As a third, Ben was also known as Peter.
His education included the Allen Stevenson School, St. Paul's School, the University of
Pennsylvania, and Emory Law School. He joined the United States Coast Guard and
served in the reserves.
Ben was associated with two law firms in Atlanta, then became an Assistant District
Attorney with Fulton County in Atlanta, GA. He was also admitted to practice in the
Supreme Court of the United States on May 21, 1973.
On March 25, 1961, Ben and Joanne Helen Smith were married. They shared traveling to sports
car rallies and ice skating events across the country, until Joanne died on May 15, 1987.
After retirement from law and relocating to Syracuse, NY, in 1994, he taught a Criminal
Justice course to High School seniors in Auburn, NY.
Ben loved golfing anywhere, including Bermuda. He also participated in winter sports (skiing, hockey),
trap shooting, and bowling; and enjoyed watching sports car racing, and Formula 1.
He was a member of the PGA, River Hills Golf Club, and Mecklenburg County Mystery Book
Club and dinner group.
Ben was generous with his time and creativity. He loved making things special, with trophies
on ski trips and personalized items on beach trips.
Preceding Ben in death were wife Joanne, parents, brother-in-law Glenn Smith, sister-in-law
Linda Boyd, and honorary son Randy Thomas.
Remembered with smiles by his partner Carol Thomas, honorary daughters Deborah Thomas
and Theresa Cochran (Thomas), honorary grandchildren Alex Daughtry and Makayla Cochran,
sister Wendy Oehlert Adams, sister-in-law Dorothy Smith, seven nieces and nephews, and
nine great-nieces and great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte, NC, or Toys For Tots would
be appreciated. A memorial gathering at a later date will be announced.
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