Benjamin A. Prichard

Benjamin Arnold Prichard

Benjamin Arnold Prichard was a man that loved the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul; a man that loved, cherished and provided for his family; a man that loved and served his country.

Ben Prichard was born in Hardin, Montana big-sky country on December 3, 1921. Raised primarily by his mother, Helen, Ben learned the importance of living for the Lord. Kneeling at his beside one evening-with his mother present-Ben came to know the Lord as his Savior at the age of eight. His passion for serving Christ would be the defining characteristic of his life.

Ben Prichard grew up in eastern Montana and graduated from Brockton High School. He went on to study at Montana State College with a degree in Civil Engineering. He spent his summers away from college working for the U.S. Geological Survey and Chicago Milwaukee-St. Paul Railroad. During his college days, he met the love of his life, Marian Josephine Walton, whom he married on December 31, 1943 in Bozeman, Montana. The deep love he had for his wife was demonstrated throughout their nearly 64 years of marriage.

Following his college graduation, he and his new bride began their life together following his orders in the Navy. For two years, Ben served as a Communications Officer. Assigned to the USS Shenandoah AD-26, Ensign B.A. Prichard was an initial crew member onboard the vessel at the time of commissioning. This young Ensign would eventually become a Lieutenant JG and receive additional Navy communications training at the University of Arizona-Tucson and Harvard University. His love of country stemmed from his early days serving in the uniform our country.

Ben demonstrated his deep-seeded love as his family grew. Between 1945 and 1950, he and Mrs. Prichard would have three children-two boys and a girl. Throughout the years, he taught Ben, Jr., Don and Carol love for one another-and most important-he taught them love for the Savior. He led by example, cherishing and providing for his family. His greatest accomplishment, he would say as a father-and eventually a grandfather and great-grandfather-was "raising children who serve the Lord."

Ben's professional civilian career began in July 1946 as a Civil Engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation. Ben worked at the Denver Federal Center in the Canals and Drainage Division. During his 33 year career, Ben eventually became the Chief of the Division of Water Operations and Maintenance. His colleagues said that "Ben was one of finest and most respected men they had ever known." After retiring from the Bureau of Reclamation in 1979, Ben Prichard worked in the Philippines as an engineering consultant. Ben Prichard served his country with passion and with conviction.

Yet his greater passion was serving the Lord in his church. As an adult Sunday School teacher for more that 45 years, Ben also found time to serve on Mission Boards, Deacons' Boards and Visitation Committees. His love for the church body was evident in action and in deed.

Those who know Ben remember how difficult it was for him when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Yet even when diagnosed with this cruel disease, he would still echo the phrase he had said throughout his life, "Every day is a good day." And that phrase is something that he lived by. He often repeated his life-verse, "Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise!"

He was often seen in his care facility bowing his head and folding his hands in prayer. This 85 year old man who had come to know his Savior more than 77 years earlier was demonstrating the very love that he had lived throughout his life.

We bid farewell to a man that lived his life full of love for God, family and country. We thank the Savior for Benjamin A. Prichard's life.