Ben E Lindekugel

Ben E. Lindekugel

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, leader and mentor

Ben was born in Bismark, North Dakota on December 6th, 1949 and passed away peacefully at his home on June 21st, 2019.  He graduated from Lead High School in South Dakota and moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.  Ben earned his undergraduate degree in American Literature and Teaching Certificate in 1973, and his Master of Social Work in Administration and Community Development in 1975.

Ben was a force for good in the world, passionate about his work and proud to be a social worker.  He felt, cared about and expressed things intensely, bringing  layers of insight, humor and intelligence to his work.  He was a big thinker with big ideas who believed deeply in the strength of community, and was exceptionally good at bringing diverse groups and organizations together to find common ground an create positive solutions.

Ben's career spanned over four decades of community service as an exemplary healthcare leader and public policy advocate in Washington.  He served in such varied roles as lobbyist for United Way of King County, administrator of multiple community-based care programs (hospice, cardiac rehab, head injury re-entry program and home health services) and director of governance and community relations at Evergreen Healthcare, where he directed the community initiative to pass a bond for constructing a new emergency department facility.  For the past nine years he led the Association of Public Hospital Districts, guiding Washington's public hospitals through complex and changing health care environment.  His greatest professional joys and achievements were working collaboratively with other committed colleagues and guiding and supporting numerous social work graduate students throughout his career.

Ben had the biggest heart in the world. He loved life.  He loved his work and teaching and mentoring others; he loved cooking for family and friends; he loved baseball (even the Mariners at their worst) and a good pilsner, but most of all he loved his family.   Ben and his wife Ann Christian shared 37 years of life together.  They were best friends, trusted partners and mutual advisors, nurturing and bringing out the best in each other.  They loved to travel and explore the world together, near and far.  They found joy in opening their home to host countless dinners and celebrations as part of a large and loving extended family and community of friends.  Despite being an only child, early on Ben became an integral part of Ann's big family.  He was devoted to his sons, adored his grandchildren and delighted in being an involved uncle with his many nieces and nephews.

 Ben truly was selfless and giving, working tirelessly for the issues, causes, and people he cared about.  He loved the challenge of solving problems for others throughout all areas of his life and community.

Ben is survived by his wife, Ann Christian, sons Adrian (Elena) and Michael, and grandchildren (Isla and August).

Donations may be made to

*  A scholarship fund is being established in Ben's name at the University of Washington School of Social Work

https://online.gifts.washington.edu/peer2peer/Campaign/e0a1bb83-dc14-425d-8ace-f8cfdef618ad

* iCivics, providing civic education in schools across America.

Arrangements for a Celebration of Ben's Life are pending.

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