Monday, January 29, 2018

Eternal Patrol: Ben Harrison

Seattle Base and Holland Club member Ben Harrison departed on Eternal Patrol on January 21, 2018.
Ben was born on Aug 15, 1925 in Rochester WA. He was one of 12 children born to Max and Blanche Couture. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He volunteered for the Navy and served aboard submarines during WWII and again in the Korean War. Ben qualified on USS Piranha (SS-389) and also served on USS Parche (SS-384), USS Steelhead (SS-280), USS Cabezon (SS-334), and USS Pilotfish (SS-386). He was very proud of his service to his country.

In 1954, his service in the Korean War ended, and he met his future wife Doris Eash in the Ambassadors Club at University Presbyterian Church. Doris and Ben married June 20, 1962. Following his military service, he attended the University of Washington School of Forestry, receiving his S.S. in 1966. His love of trees and the environment is his legacy. He was a kind, gentle man, an environmentalist of the first order. The forests of Western Washington will miss his expertise and care. He spent many years working with Weyerhaeuser in Federal Way, supporting and planting the forests in the Snoqualmie National Forest.

After retirement, Ben worked as a private contractor helping individual owners manage their timber. His love of photography often saw him with his camera around his neck, at the ready to catch the scenes of nature. Ben belonged to the Society of American Foresters, was very active in the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theatre and served as President, and he was a member of the University Presbyterian Church. He was a long-time supporter of the University of Washington and a Husky Alumni Club member, holding season tickets for many years of cheering the Huskies. Survivors include his wife of 55 1/2 years, many family and friends, and many trees in the forest.

A memorial service will be held at Flintofts Issaquah Funeral Home on February 3 at 11:00. Following the service, there will be a gathering for family and friends. Friends are invited to view photos, get directions and share memories at www.FLINTOFTS.com.

Remembrances and gifts can be sent in honor of Benjamin Harrison to UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Box 355055, Seattle, WA 98195-5055.

Sailor, Rest Your Oar

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