Dr. Benjamin Tyson Gravely

1941 - 2021

Dr. Benjamin Tyson Gravely
June 13, 1941 - November 12, 2021
Raleigh, North Carolina - Dr. Benjamin Tyson Gravely passed away unexpectedly at home in Raleigh on November 12, 2021, at age 80. Ben was born in Raleigh, NC, on June 13, 1941. He grew up in Charlotte. He graduated from Myers Park High School with honors in 1959 and attended NC State University, where he received his PhD in physics in 1970. He was the son of William Allan Gravely, Sr., and Margaret Tyson Gravely, both of whom predeceased him. Ben married Martha Miller Frye on August 17, 1963, in Winston-Salem's Home Moravian Church. They were married 58 years.
Ben is survived by his wife, Martha; his son, David Gravely and wife, Vickie; and his daughter, Margaret Gravely Lanning and husband, David. His beloved grandchildren include Christopher Gravely and wife, Bianca; Justin Gravely; Ben Lanning; Sydney Lanning; and Rachel Lanning. Ben is further blessed with two great-grandsons, Henry (5) and Wyatt (2) Gravely. Ben is also survived by his brother, William Allan Gravely, Jr., wife Dottie, and their four children and families. He cherished these family members and loved his time with each one.
As an NC State student and member of the Raleigh Wesley Foundation (the Methodist organization for area college students), Ben became student president, met his future wife, later founded the Raleigh Wesley Alumni Association, and served on the Wesley Foundation Board many years.
Ben was actively involved at North Raleigh United Methodist Church as a leader, teacher, choir member, UMM member, and God's servant to anyone who needed him. He had a huge sense of humor, adding joy wherever he went. Ben helped build homes on a mission trip to impoverished Reynosa, Mexico. He was humbled when once he was named Layperson of the Year. The Lord was his guide and quiet faith was his way.
Ben's interests and hobbies included attending the NC Symphony and Master Chorale, wood and metal crafting, reading, and creating gifts for family members and friends with his 3-D printer.
Ben's career life, though filled with many honors and commendations, was motivated by the desire to make the world a better, safer place. He had a broad background in many scientific disciplines including research, invention, design, and development. In the early 70's, he was a senior research scientist at Corning Glassworks Biomedical Center in Raleigh, where he developed, among other things, a high resolution electro-optical microscope.
Later in the 70's and into the 80's, Ben formed two companies to help him implement his dream: solar energy. Gravely Research Corporation was formed to develop optical and thermal inventions for solar energy systems, for which his first two patents were granted. Astron Technologies was founded to manufacture and distribute solar and other energy products. These solar energy systems were installed on residences and public institutions all over the country. Considered a pioneer in solar energy in North Carolina, Ben was a co-founder of the NC Solar Energy Corporation and served as its chairman for two years. He was appointed by Governor Jim Hunt as a founding director of the NC Alternative Energy Corporation. A few of the many awards he received for "outstanding service" were from the Governor, the ASME, and the AEC.
In the 90's, Ben worked on six Small Business Innovative Research grants (NASA, NIH, NSF, as well as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) on medical/technical devices for which six more patents were granted. In the next decade, as principal scientist for Kolis Ophthalmology Corporation, he helped develop tear film imaging for diagnosing dry eye conditions. From 2008 until he retired, Ben co-founded Holocene, Inc., to update methods for solar energy applications, including remote monitoring of solar. After retirement Ben consulted with a Maryland company on microscope stages. He also wrote and sold many copies of an e-book about his life journey.
A dear and longtime friend wrote this week, "His passing leaves a great hole in all of our lives, but we know he is delighting the saints with his mischievous grin and warm wit. We miss you, Ben."
A Celebration of Ben's Life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 27, 2021, at North Raleigh United Methodist Church, 8501 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh, NC 27615. Masking and distancing will be required. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in care of North Raleigh United Methodist Church; the Raleigh Wesley Foundation, Fairmont United Methodist Church, 2501 Clark Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27607; or the charity of your choice.