Benjamin R. Ansbacher passed away peacefully with family at his side on September 22 at the age of 88. He is survived by his loving wife, Caroline, and his three children, David (Melissa), Peter (Erin), and Margaret (Howard).
Ben was born in New York City on May 12, 1937, to Heinz and Rowena Ansbacher. Ben grew up in Burlington, Vermont with his older brother, Max, and his younger brothers, Ted and Charles. He received an undergraduate degree in 1958 from Amherst College, and an MBA from Harvard University in 1962. He met his wife, Caroline, while they both worked at IBM in Boston, and married in Greenville, SC in 1968. They lived in Poughkeepsie, NY where David and Peter were born, while Ben worked as a chemist at DuPont. In 1972, the family moved to Burlington, NC where Margaret was born. After working at first Biomedical Laboratories, and then Firequip, Ben founded and owned ARS Computers until his retirement, one of the first businesses in Burlington selling computers and accounting software to small businesses and personal computers to early adopters.
Ben was dedicated to being helpful and useful to others, volunteering overnights at the Allied Churches Homeless Shelter and providing free tax and financial advice, championing Burlington’s partnerships and travel exchanges with its sister city in San Luis Potosí, supporting Burlington’s immigrant community through mentoring and advocacy, or serving as the chair of the Alamance County Board of Elections.
Ben was curious, thoughtful, and always happy to engage in learning, whether with the Episcopal Church Men’s Breakfast, the Zeagler Society, or with anyone with ideas to share and discuss. He was known as someone who could always lend a hand to fix this or that, offer car advice, or help others in a time of need. He also had a unique and quirky sense of humor, known to those who were lucky enough to catch a show of the “Yankee Humorist.”
He enjoyed travel with Caroline, spending time outdoors in the family home in Elizaville, tennis with friends at Olde Forest Racquet Club, skiing with his brothers, and spending time with his grandchildren, Josie, Ben, Aidan, Nick, Callie, Shannon, and Susannah.
Ben was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He was loved and respected as a beacon of kindness, patience, integrity, and good humor. He will be dearly missed and always remembered.
Ben’s family will bid him farewell in a private prayer service. A public memorial will be planned at a later time. If desired, memorial gifts to the The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter endowment would be gratefully appreciated.
