Benjamin Bysshe Lessem, 47, Overland Park, Kan., passed away suddenly from heart disease on Dec. 25, 2010, while on vacation in Las Vegas.
Funeral services were held on Sunday Jan. 2, in Cherry Hill, N.J. The funeral was officiated by Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, the wife of Ben’s lifelong best friend, David Cohen.
Ben was born May 2, 1963, and grew up in Cherry Hill. He graduated from Stony Brook University on Long Island with simultaneous bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public policy. Ben later went back to school and graduated from Rutgers School of Law — Camden in 1996.
Ben worked several jobs with the federal government through his life. He started out working in Washington after college. After living his entire life on the East Coast, Ben moved to Kansas City in 1997 to take a job with the Social Security Administration. His transition to the Midwest was made a bit smoother by the coincidental presence in Kanas City of his close friend from high school, Stuart Gaynes. After a few years, he moved on to another job in Kansas City with the Department of Labor. He was a pension benefits investigator up until the time of his death. Ben had recently become a Certified Pension Benefits Administrator by passing a long series of exams.
Ben was a nice, easygoing person. He had a great sense of humor and usually could find something funny to say in any situation. Ben loved talking about politics, music, current events, books (particularly science fiction), travel, religion, movies and sports. He remained loyal to his Philadelphia sports teams but also had adopted the Royals and Chiefs teams.
Ben really loved to travel. He had been all over the United States for both business and pleasure. In late 2009, he was able to realize his dream of a trip to Australia. He traveled around and absorbed the culture for more than two weeks. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could take his next big adventure — a trip to Israel.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Selma Lessem. He is survived by his brother, Miles Lessem of Voorhees, N.J.
Contributions in Ben’s memory can be made to The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, 5801 W. 115th St., Suite 101, Overland Park, KS 66211.