(From the Ft. Myers, Florida News-Press.com on July 29, 2009) Benjamin Sandipher Smith, age 88 a retired Detroit businessman and fine amateur golfer died on July 21, 2009, in the Naples Community Hospital, Naples, Florida. Ben was born to the late Mr./Mrs. Amos Tuttle Smith of Fort Myers, Florida and was preceded in death by his brother A.T. Smith Jr., and his sister Caroline Thayer.
Ben is survived by his wife of 58 years Ann Pierce Smith, his children Benj. S. Smith Jr., Robert M. (Susan) Smith, David P. (Tracey) Smith and Janetha M. Smith; grandchildren, Christopher (Rebecca) Leimbach, Jacob Mathew (Nicole) Smith, Rebecca Lamb Smith, Benjamin Richard Smith, Graham Hamilton-Smith, Miranda Beth Smith, Lindsey Devlin Smith, Elena, and Gianna Spatoulis; two great-granddaughters, Alayna Marie Smith and Paton Ann Smith. A nephew and two nieces- Tuttle Smith, Nancy Schemenauer and Molly Thayer also survive.
Ben was a member of the very first Fort Myers High School golf team started in 1937 and, among other things he became a two-time winner of the Florida High School state golf tournaments in 1938 and 1939. Upon graduating Ben went to the University of Michigan arriving in Ann Arbor on Sept 1, 1939, the day Hitler invaded Poland.
Ben became a key player of the Wolverines 1942 and 1943 Big Ten championship golf teams. As the 1943 team captain, Smith shared the big ten individual championships. He was president of the National Intercollegiate Golf Association in 1943 and worked closely with “Chick” Evans (one of the finest amateur golfers of his time) in his caddy scholarship program. This program is known today as the Evans Scholars Foundation of Western Golf Association.
After graduating from Michigan in 1943 Ben served three and one-half years in the US Navy, attaining the rank of First Lt. before his discharge. He joined Fife Electric Supply Co. in 1946 assuming ownership in 1973. He is a past president of the National Association of Electrical Distributors 1975-1976. Smith is a past governor and vice president of the Golf Association of Michigan, a past president of the Michigan Seniors Golf Association, member of the Society of Seniors and, the U.S. Seniors. Ben is a member of Imperial Golf Club in Naples and a member of the Detroit Golf club where he not only served as President but was also club champion seven times. Ben won the Michigan Amateur golf championship in 1950, three Golf Association of Michigan titles, and has shot 8 holes in one. He has been inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor, the state of Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, and in 1995 was inducted into the inaugural Ft. Myers High School Green Wave Golf Hall of Fame. This last was as exciting to Ben as any honor he has ever received.
There will be a Memorial Service at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 14th at the First United Methodist Church, 1589 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham, MI. (248) 646-1200.
Donations may be made to the Evans Scholars Foundation, 1 Briar Road, Golf, Illinois 60029, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are being handled by: Naples Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery, (239) 597-3101