Ben Hawkins passed away in January 2025 due to complications with Alzheimer’s disease after 87 well-lived years on this planet. He followed his philosophy to live a simple life. At the same time, he filled his life with adventures that quenched his love for learning and curiosity about the world. He enjoyed intellectual engagement and encouraged critical thinking in those around him. This was balanced with humor and deep connections with the natural world.

Ben was born and raised in Long Beach, California. His love of the ocean began in 6th grade when his teacher, Mrs. Gagen, who held him to firm boundaries with his smart-aleck behavior, took him rowing. She was the first of many mentors and also instilled in him a love of reading while she read adventure novels to the class every day.

As a teen, Ben worked in the neighborhood grocery store and proved trustworthy enough to regularly close the till. It was there that he met his buddy Jim Loomis. Together they bought a WWII metal life boat and spent a summer at Catalina Island, the first of 48 summers for Ben at the island. At Long Beach City College, his biology teacher recommended Humboldt State to Ben. He rode the bus to Eureka with one suitcase and hitchhiked his way to Arcata where he took up residence in a rooming house on campus. Finding his passion in the biological sciences, he was soon correcting papers for Professor Dan Brant’s physiology class. One particular student’s work stood out to him as exemplary and he asked Dr. Brant to point out the student at the next lecture opportunity. That student, Christine Ramstad, eventually became his wife of 64 years. They were married at Patricks Point in June of 1960.

Soon after, they moved to British Columbia, where Ben was in graduate school. When Ben’s advisor told him that “serious students” didn’t ask for summers off to go to Catalina, he quit the program and decided he’d rather teach than do research. They then settled for four years in Beaumont, high desert country in southern California which was more proximal to Catalina Island. Ben taught life science classes in a brand new junior college, Mt. San Jacinto JC. While expecting their first child, Ben and Chris agreed that Humboldt County was where they wanted to raise their family.

Upon their return to Humboldt, Ben started his 47 year career at College of the Redwoods. There followed the life of Humboldt during the school year and Catalina summers on a succession of boats. They designed and built their final boat to accommodate their family that had grown to include two daughters, Heidi (Walsh) and Heather (Gaiera).

After the summer routine was firmly established, they bought land in Bayside and built their house with help from many friends and Ben’s brother Bill.

Ben had two sabbaticals overseas where he was inspired to revamp his classes toward environmental issues. His family recalls how frequently they ran into former students who expressed gratitude for the impact his teaching had on their lives.

After their girls became teenagers, Ben and Chris began annual bike trips in Europe. Meanwhile, they hosted four male AFS exchange students. After raising girls, Ben had a chance to influence his AFS boys, the last one at age 70.

In his 80s, Alzheimer’s impaired his life, but was fortunate to have Mad River Adult Day Care available followed by Timber Ridge Memory Care Unit in Eureka. His family is so very grateful for the loving teasing care he received at both facilities. He will be remembered with love and admiration by many.

A celebration of life will be held on May 3, 2025 at the Humboldt Bay Social Club. Friends and family are welcome to attend. If you did not receive a formal invite and would like to attend, please reach out to Heather at 707-502-4472.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ben Hawkins’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.