Obituary of Benjamin Louis Schatz

Benjamin Louis Schatz, 82, of Olympia, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023, due to complications caused by severe head trauma.

Ben was born on June 29, 1941, to Charles and Jessie Schatz in Fairbanks, Alaska. Ben grew up in Eastern Oregon, graduating from Stanfield High School in 1959, and Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon, with a Bachelor of Science in General Studies in 1970.

Ben entered service in the U.S. Army in June 1959 and was honorably discharged in December 1966. He moved to the Willamette Valley in Salem, Oregon, in 1970. Ben worked for State Farm Insurance for approximately 11 years before moving to Olympia, Washington, in 1981. Ben later went to work for the State of Washington, first for The Evergreen State College and then later for the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, where he set rates for nursing homes. Ben retired in 2006.

In December 1980, Ben married Beverly Sutton, with whom he had attended school in Stanfield, Oregon. Ben and Beverly lived happily in Olympia, Washington, throughout nearly 43 years of marriage.

Ben was active in the Masonic fraternity throughout his life, serving as the Worshipful Master of Pacific Lodge No. 50 in Salem, Oregon, in 1979 and holding life memberships in Olympia Lodge No. 1 and Harmony Lodge No. 18. Ben was also active in various bodies in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and the Shriners, working tirelessly to support charitable causes.

Ben is predeceased by his parents Charles and Jessie Schatz, his brother Dennis, and his sister Sue Ann. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, his children, Connie, Wendy, Jeff, Kathie, and Darrin, brother Danny Schatz, ten grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. 

A masonic memorial service at the Olympia Masonic Center located at 521 North Street SE in Tumwater, Washington is scheduled for Sunday January 14, 2024, at 11:00 AM. The date of the interment ceremony will be announced soon and will be held in Stanfield, Oregon.