Ben died January 11, 2000, of complications due to Alzheimer's Disease. He had been a resident of the Peaks Care Center in Longmont, CO for three years. Ben's daughter, Katie, is now 13 years old and is in the eighth grade at Louisville Middle School and his wife Colleen said that they have many good memories to sustain them.

Ben was born on July 10, 1938, in Selma, Alabama. He was the son of Benjamin McBride and Grace McCulley. He married Colleen McEwan on July 1, 1985, in Tustin, California. He was a smokejumper in Idaho City 1963-65, Boise 1971, and McCall in 1985. He was also the chief adult probation officer for Cochise County, Arizona. He enjoyed running, hiking, camping, dogs, and jazz music. He is survived by his wife Colleen.