Ben Rutledge Blackwell of Greenville and ports between, born in San Jose California November 22, 1960 transcended this world on February 22. Beloved son of Marguerite Rutledge Blackwell, formerly of Sumter, and the late Joseph D. Blackwell of Columbia, weakened by time and fate, Ben succumbed to illness endured for most of his adult life. His unique character, demeanor, bountiful love, genius, wit, and a fierce fight, failed to move earth and heaven. Greatly did he suffer, both with those who loved him and alone.
Ben was part of all that he met; a heroic hungry heart, mind, and spirit. His abilities, talents, and vast compassion for others were formidable and profound. He was deeply moved by the misfortunes of man and beast. Equality was his abiding stance.
Ben is also survived and was cherished by his brothers, Leslie L Blackwell and his wife Allison of Columbia, Stuart W Blackwell and his wife Shay of Houston, TX; his special "Uncle Bip," Bill Rutledge, Sr.; and his felines. He also leaves uncles Ben R Rutledge, Jr. and his wife Rachel of Fayetteville, TN; Edward E Rutledge of Sumter; and Lester J Blackwell the second and his wife Loretta of Columbia; and many cousins. Ben considered himself lucky to have the love and care of Brenda and Harriett when he needed them most.
Home will never be the same without musical masterpieces permeating the air, a den inundated with books, his political commentary on the nightly news, and roars of abandon during sports events. Among Ben's devotions and idols: "King Lear"; "Archie and Edith"; creatures of all species; "Ring of the Nibelung", underdogs; Beethoven and Mozart; Mandela; films of Ingmar Bergman; nature; Martin Luther King, Jr.; and jazz . . . Billie Holiday, of course. That which we are, we are.
Ben was educated at the University of South Carolina Honors College and Princeton University where he studied Astrophysics and Literature.
Ben was part of all that he met; a heroic hungry heart, mind, and spirit. His abilities, talents, and vast compassion for others were formidable and profound. He was deeply moved by the misfortunes of man and beast. Equality was his abiding stance.
Ben is also survived and was cherished by his brothers, Leslie L Blackwell and his wife Allison of Columbia, Stuart W Blackwell and his wife Shay of Houston, TX; his special "Uncle Bip," Bill Rutledge, Sr.; and his felines. He also leaves uncles Ben R Rutledge, Jr. and his wife Rachel of Fayetteville, TN; Edward E Rutledge of Sumter; and Lester J Blackwell the second and his wife Loretta of Columbia; and many cousins. Ben considered himself lucky to have the love and care of Brenda and Harriett when he needed them most.
Home will never be the same without musical masterpieces permeating the air, a den inundated with books, his political commentary on the nightly news, and roars of abandon during sports events. Among Ben's devotions and idols: "King Lear"; "Archie and Edith"; creatures of all species; "Ring of the Nibelung", underdogs; Beethoven and Mozart; Mandela; films of Ingmar Bergman; nature; Martin Luther King, Jr.; and jazz . . . Billie Holiday, of course. That which we are, we are.
Ben was educated at the University of South Carolina Honors College and Princeton University where he studied Astrophysics and Literature.
Ben Rutledge Blackwell of Greenville and ports between, born in San Jose California November 22, 1960 transcended this world on February 22. Beloved son of Marguerite Rutledge Blackwell, formerly of Sumter, and the late Joseph D. Blackwell of Columbia, weakened by time and fate, Ben succumbed to illness endured for most of his adult life. His unique character, demeanor, bountiful love, genius, wit, and a fierce fight, failed to move earth and heaven. Greatly did he suffer, both with those who loved him and alone.
Ben was part of all that he met; a heroic hungry heart, mind, and spirit. His abilities, talents, and vast compassion for others were formidable and profound. He was deeply moved by the misfortunes of man and beast. Equality was his abiding stance.
Ben is also survived and was cherished by his brothers, Leslie L Blackwell and his wife Allison of Columbia, Stuart W Blackwell and his wife Shay of Houston, TX; his special "Uncle Bip," Bill Rutledge, Sr.; and his felines. He also leaves uncles Ben R Rutledge, Jr. and his wife Rachel of Fayetteville, TN; Edward E Rutledge of Sumter; and Lester J Blackwell the second and his wife Loretta of Columbia; and many cousins. Ben considered himself lucky to have the love and care of Brenda and Harriett when he needed them most.
Home will never be the same without musical masterpieces permeating the air, a den inundated with books, his political commentary on the nightly news, and roars of abandon during sports events. Among Ben's devotions and idols: "King Lear"; "Archie and Edith"; creatures of all species; "Ring of the Nibelung", underdogs; Beethoven and Mozart; Mandela; films of Ingmar Bergman; nature; Martin Luther King, Jr.; and jazz . . . Billie Holiday, of course. That which we are, we are.
Ben was educated at the University of South Carolina Honors College and Princeton University where he studied Astrophysics and Literature.
Ben was part of all that he met; a heroic hungry heart, mind, and spirit. His abilities, talents, and vast compassion for others were formidable and profound. He was deeply moved by the misfortunes of man and beast. Equality was his abiding stance.
Ben is also survived and was cherished by his brothers, Leslie L Blackwell and his wife Allison of Columbia, Stuart W Blackwell and his wife Shay of Houston, TX; his special "Uncle Bip," Bill Rutledge, Sr.; and his felines. He also leaves uncles Ben R Rutledge, Jr. and his wife Rachel of Fayetteville, TN; Edward E Rutledge of Sumter; and Lester J Blackwell the second and his wife Loretta of Columbia; and many cousins. Ben considered himself lucky to have the love and care of Brenda and Harriett when he needed them most.
Home will never be the same without musical masterpieces permeating the air, a den inundated with books, his political commentary on the nightly news, and roars of abandon during sports events. Among Ben's devotions and idols: "King Lear"; "Archie and Edith"; creatures of all species; "Ring of the Nibelung", underdogs; Beethoven and Mozart; Mandela; films of Ingmar Bergman; nature; Martin Luther King, Jr.; and jazz . . . Billie Holiday, of course. That which we are, we are.
Ben was educated at the University of South Carolina Honors College and Princeton University where he studied Astrophysics and Literature.
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