Benjamin Colmery Obituary

Benjamin Herring Colmery II

Benjamin Herring, "Ben" Colmery, II, 94, died on December 2, 2015, in Westminster Oaks Retirement Community, Tallahassee, FL. Memorial services will be held at the Frances Chapel, Westminster Oaks at 2 pm on Dec. 7, 2015. He will be inurned at the Columbarium, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Presbyterian Church, Broadway St., Edwards, MS 39066, or the Westminster Oaks Foundation Benevolent Fund, 4449 Meandering Way, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

Born in Mobile, AL, Ben was raised in Vicksburg, MS. His parents were Benjamin H. Colmery and Bess White Colmery. He attended the Naval Academy, Class of '44. After an M.S. (co-majors: Nuclear Physics and Physiology), Ohio State and M.E. (Engineering Management), UCLA, he earned a PhD (Management) at the Wharton School, Univ. of Penn.

He was active in numerous local community organizations and with various civic issues, and founded the Kiwanis-sponsored aKtion Club -- a community-service club -- for developmentally-challenged adults. He also held various local and state offices in the Florida Life Care Residents Association.

An enthusiastic golfer, Ben parred two courses, won a number of inconsequential tournaments, and shot his age at 83.

He shared 18 happy years with Anne Brainard Colmery of Battle Creek, MI, mother of his children, and then twenty-three years with Frances Barber Sullivan Colmery, a childhood sweetheart. Then with his special friend, Charlotte Romanak, Ben enjoyed eleven wonderful years. All three pre-deceased him. He is survived by two sons, Benjamin H. Colmery, III, DVM, (and Charlie) of Ann Arbor, MI, and Wesley B. Colmery, CPA, (and Nancy) of Novi, MI; a daughter, Aimee P. Colmery of Little Rock, AR; 4 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren.

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Published by Tallahassee Democrat from Dec. 5 to Dec. 7, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Colmery

7 Entries

j brucie sutton

January 19, 2016

i have just found out about cousin Ben's passing...i certainly did enjoy his cracker-jack wit and warm sense of humor...he will be missed...

David Rich

December 10, 2015

The officers, Board of Directors, and members of the West Point Society of Tallahassee grip hands and extend our sympathies upon the passing of Ben, a brother beyond blood. He was a dear friend to many, a regular at Army-Navy, and his passing diminishes all those still here on the near shore. Well done, Ben. Be Thou at Peace

Barry Peterson

December 9, 2015

Ben was a true gentleman, and a dear friend for over two decades. His lodestone was the scientific method, which made him one of the most rational men I have known. Ben's broad interests and knowledge ranged from nuclear physics to helping the intellectually challenged. He loved telling stories and his friends enjoyed seeing him in story-telling mode.

And he was curious. We met because Ben wanted to meet the man who had written an essay that was published by the local newspaper; so he tracked me down. In our first hour together we discovered that we had mutual values and views. We had both internalized, and lived, the values imparted by Sunday school, the Scouts, and the military.

Ben loved his children and grandchildren without reservation and was proud of the lives they had made for themselves. He always looked forward eagerly to spending time with them.

I valued our friendship and came to love Ben like an older brother. He was a good honorable man who cared deeply about the future of his people. For the rest of my life I will miss Ben, especially when I feel like talking with him about something or just having lunch together again.

Bill Knepper

December 9, 2015

It's no surprise to anyone that knows me that I enjoy swapping stories with people I meet while having a beer a two. Sometimes I have good stories but the truth of the matter is I usually hear way better stories from the people that I meet. Years ago, I met a man named Ben while I was watching the Army-Navy Game at Miller's Ale House in Tallahassee. I asked him which team he was cheering for and he said, Well that's an interesting story. It sure was. Here's what Ben shared with me that day.

Ben was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and attended during World War II. While he was there as a midshipman, there was some question as to whether the 1942 Army-Navy Game should even be played. Gasoline was being rationed. Travel was restricted. There was concern that our current and future military leaders should not be massed together in any one location. But President Franklin D. Roosevelt felt that it was important for the morale of the country to play the Army-Navy Game. He got his way but there were a number of restrictions.

The game was to be played at Annapolis in the Naval Academy on-campus stadium. Only people living within a 10 mile radius of the stadium were allowed to attend. Obviously the Army football team would be there but the Corps of Cadets at West Point would not be permitted to attend. This brought up an interesting question: If the only attendees were midshipmen and people that lived nearby, who would cheer for Army?

The Superintendent of the Naval Academy made a command decision. Half of the Navy Midshipmen Brigade cheered for their Navy team and the other half were ordered to cheer for Army. Ben was one of the Navy midshipmen assigned to sit on the visitors' side and cheer for Army. He told me that he was required to learn all of the Army cheers and all of the Army songs and that he still remembered them. I asked him if he would do one of those old Army cheers and he said he would but he wanted me to know that he was going to do it the same way that he did back in 1942 he was going to hold his hand behind his back and cross his fingers so it wouldn't count!

Benjamin Herring Colmery II, you told a good story.

December 9, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Linda Rigot-Peterson

December 6, 2015

I loved Ben's stories, his sense of humor, and his Southern-gentleman charm. I was fortunate to have lunch with him regularly, and he spent many holidays with my family. I have a particularly fond memory of him sitting in my living room watching a fire in the fireplace while singing Christmas carols, and singing them well. Ben was truly a Renaissance man who contributed substantially to his country and to society. I will miss him always. My deep condolences to his children "Mike", Wes, and Aimee, whom he loved greatly.

Ned Pooser

December 5, 2015

While I knew him simply as "Ben," Dr. Colmery was a congenial and affable gentleman of the old school of Southern aristocracy. He was always interested in public affairs, and I looked forward to our Thursday luncheons for his take on the issues of the day. His passing leaves a hole in our hearts. I will miss him.

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