Benjamin David Horwitz passed away on June 22, 2017 at Anchorage Providence Hospital with his family and loved ones by his side. Ben’s mother, Cathleen, passed on before him on December 29, 2011. Ben is survived by his father, Bob Horwitz of Anchorage, Alaska, brothers Zach and Jesse Horwitz of Anchorage, Alaska, sister Maribeth Horwitz and niece Violet Sky Horwitz both of Anchorage, Alaska, and brother Mack Horwitz of Seattle, Washington, plus many dear friends across the country whose lives he touched in his nearly 41 years.
Ben was born in Anchorage Providence Hospital on June 29, 1976 and raised mostly in Anchorage, Alaska. He graduated Service High School, class of 1995, and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served with honor from 1995 to 1999. He proudly served two tours of duty, stationed in both Saudi Arabia and South Korea where among many other life tools, he learned to run fuel operations for military aircraft. After his service he moved to Seattle, Washington, and worked diligently to complete the prerequisite courses at North Seattle Community College required to enroll at the University of Washington. Once at the University of Washington, he found a passion for environmental protection and graduated from the University of Washington’s College of the Environment in 2009. With his background in environmental protection and fuels, coupled with his love for the outdoors and federal service, he landed his dream job of a career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2008 where he served as fuels storage tank inspector for nine years. Ben approached his work with an enthusiasm, professionalism, and focus on mission. Ben was extremely proud of his federal service, both in the military and as a civilian.
Ben was a son, brother, a co-worker, and a close friend to many. His laughter was contagious and his storytelling about his adventures made you just honored to have a ticket to listen. Ben had a way of making everyone feel important and special. He loved spending time in the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, or ‘Alaska light’ as he called it. He always enjoyed being in the moment and taking a pause for the cause. Ben shared his love of music, biking, and paddling with friends and family at his home in the Land’s End neighborhood of Seattle. His spirit will forever light up our memories and warm our hearts.
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Please contribute to relieve his family of any costs for this celebration and to help create a memorial fund in his name at the Tahoma National Veteran's Cemetary, where Ben often volunteered his time. Just click below and follow the directions.
https://www.youcaring.com/celebrationoflifeforbenhorwitz-865694
OMG, that's me with Ben! Thank you so much for posting this pic!!!! I did not know it existed
Ben and I got to fly on a training mission with the crew of an MH-53 helicopter over to Wales. They let us shoot the various machine guns at ground targets while wearing night vision goggles!
I miss you Ben :'( Can't believe you are gone.
This was across the street from the 2016 Seattle to Portland ride finish at Holladay Park. We had an amazing ride from our Day 1 stop in Longview, Washington - one major highlight was crossing the Columbia River on the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
Most of the ride that day was rolling terrain along the Columbia on US Route 30. I was playing mostly 1990s alternative/grunge on my speaker (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, etc.) as Ben said that would be most popular for our group. Ben was hard charging up most of the hills, and it really was a fun day as we rolled into and through Portland together.
One of my favorite moments was when my family joined us at the finish line party. I mentioned to my 5-year-old daughter, Alice, that we needed to do a Voodoo Doughnut excursion. She got a ravenous look on her face, and exclaimed "yeaaaaaah!" Ben laughed hysterically. That's how I will always remember him.
Love and miss you, big guy!
First time I met Ben was Summer of 2011. He was providing help in my region with inspections to help keep up the 3 yr rotation. I was just back from Afghanistan and he asked me to meet him in central Washington to shadow my sites while he inspected. I met him in Othello at a site and he was already doing his inspection. I walked up and introduced myself and he was quick to show me his EPA credentials as he was sitting next to a turbine sump. I kinda laughed and told him that I'm on his side and I know who you are. "You don't have to show me that, I'm with you man." It was a funny first meeting and I know he was so proud to show that credential to me. He laughed as well and we started talking military. A friendship was made that day and has grown ever since. We've spent many years after that discussing our different programs and tried hard to keep a great working relationship between WA and EPA. We think it has been successful. We also kept a great friendship outside of work. We were looking so forward to keeping all of that continuous. We will miss you very much pal.
BTW - that inspection did not turn out so great for the owner.
