John Benard "Ben" Arbaugh

1962 - 2018

John "Ben" Benard Arbaugh

Winneconne - John "Ben" Benard Arbaugh, age 55, was called home to his Lord and Savior on June 16, 2018, with his wife, three sons, and two puppies by his side.

Ben was born to John and Annette (Clatworthy) Arbaugh on July 8, 1962, and grew up in St. Albans and Hamlin, West Virginia. Ben attended Marshall University from 1980-1984 where he earned his BBA in Management. He then attended Wright State University earning an MBA in 1989, and The Ohio State University where he earned a second Master's degree and his PhD. in 1994. Ben also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1985-1989 and was commissioned in 1985.

Ben moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1994 to take a position as a faculty member in the College of Business at UW-Oshkosh. Ben was a pioneer in the world of online education. As one of the leading researchers in the field, Ben had over 80 articles and book chapters published which included 17 best article/best paper awards. He has also published 2 books related to his work on online learning in business schools. To date, his work has been cited over 9,000 times. He played prominent roles in the Academy of Management, serving as Chair of the Management Education and Development Division from 2006-2007. During 2009-2011 Ben served as editor of Academy of Management Learning and Education, the first scholar from a Masters Comprehensive university to be selected as editor of an Academy of Management journal. Ben also won numerous awards at the University including The John McNaughton Rosebush Professorship, The Edward M. Penson Distinguished Teaching Award and the Curwood, Inc. Endowed Professorship. Ben worked for UW-Oshkosh for 24 years and retired on June 3, 2018, due to declining health.

Ben met his wife Paula (Miller) Arbaugh at Community Church in Oshkosh and they were married on March 15, 1997. They lived in Oshkosh for the first 4 years of their marriage and then moved to Winneconne in 2001. Ben and Paula have three sons Alexander (Xander) Arbaugh (20), Addison Arbaugh (18), and Aidan Arbaugh (15) all living at home. Ben is survived by his parents, John Arbaugh, of Barboursville, WV and Annette Arbaugh, of St. Albans, WV; and his siblings, Joseph Arbaugh, of Barboursville, WV; Lara Barry, of St. Albans, WV; and Tony (Ashely) Arbaugh, of Hamlin, WV.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Charles and Myrtle Arbaugh and Frank and Madeline Clatworthy.

Ben was a faithful follower of Christ and enjoyed studying and discussing God's word. In his college days he was actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ and continued to support college based ministries throughout his life.

Ben was known for his quirky sense of humor and extreme intellect. He was a voracious reader and particularly enjoyed religious and historical writings. Ben enjoyed cheering on Marshall's Thundering Herd only second to cheering on his sons in their Winneconne Wolves activities (music, art, theater, academics, and football). Ben was a loving husband and father and a very selfless man that continually put the wants and needs of others above his own.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Community Church, 2351 Ryf Road Oshkosh, WI on Saturday June 23, 2018, with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. and service starting at 11:00 a.m.

A special thank you goes out to our family and friends for all the help and prayers we received during our cancer journey and to all of the staff at Ascension's Cancer Center and Hospice for their excellent care!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a trust fund for Ben and Paula's children and to the Ascension Health Care Cancer Centers at St. Elizabeth and Mercy Hospitals.

If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.