Ben R. Stone, III, made his debut at St. Joseph's Hospital in Deadwood SD on 13 March 1937. His arrival was eagerly awaited by his parents, Veronica and Ben R. Stone, Jr. Following his 'Long Goodbye' Ben left all he held Dear on 15 Jan. 2018.

Ben's formative years were lived in Lead, SD, where he was a fourth generation Pioneer. His education began with graduation from Hearst Free Kindergarten then went on to graduate from Lead High School in 1955. He received his Undergraduate and Master's degrees from the University of South Dakota in 1960 & '62. In 1972, he earned his Doctorate from the University of Missouri in Columbia. His chosen field in education was Sociology which he taught at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa for 27 years and Black Hills State University for 13 years. His favorite courses were taught to nursing students and Industrial and Occupational Sociology classes due to his lifelong interest in the mining industry. For his advanced degrees, he wrote his Thesis and Dissertation about the sociological aspects of miners and their communities. The research involved Lead and Homestake Mine, which he knew and Loved, then went to England to study Welsh miners and communities to make comparisons. His love of the mining industry took him out of the classroom for a year to be head researcher for a company hired by the Bureau of Mines to study lighting and other safety concerns in underground mines across the nation.

Ben was a passionate devotee to anything and everything that held his interest. From his earliest adventure with the written word, he became a voracious reader. He had a collection of filled library cards from Homestake Library and his own library amassed over the years. Next, he was passionate about anything dealing with the Performing Arts. More especially the motion picture industry, there was nary a movie he didn't see beginning at the Homestake Theatre then around the world! Live theatre was attended from the Black Hills Playhouse to Broadway and Piccadilly Circus. He had a very eclectic taste in music and could name nearly all he listened to. His command of 'Entertainment' trivia was amazing! He was fascinated with the Earth and everything in it or on it. National Geographic Magazine and Books – from Jr. High on, he absorbed them all. National Parks and his Honda motorcycles were Zen to Ben.

Family and Friends all knew his love and devotion. He had lifelong friends from kindergarten on and made friends easily wherever his life took him. Over 12000 students in the course of his career loved his courses and his anecdotes used in teaching.

His Family, who are left with a lifetime, his lifetime, of memories, will miss his passion for life and the love of living. His first wife, Mary Pat Barstow-Stone, Des Moines, IA and their children; Veronica Jean with husband Rod Rhiner and Granddaughter Shelby of Des Moines; Ben R. Stone IV with wife Karim and Granddaughter Brianna of Perry, Iowa. Ben's siblings who hold Ben dear to heart are: Charlotte Carey (late Husband Jerry) of Madison, WI and Nephew, Bill Carey and wife Mary; Susan Stone-Douglas, Lead and William J. (Bill) Stone, Lead with Ben's nieces and their children, Dena Stone-Sandidge with Morgan and Lane; Dixie Stone with Jade and Kiara all of Spearfish. Also left to mourn are his cousins and their families.

Ben always attributed much of who he became to his loving Family gone before. Ben and Veronica, his parents. Grandfather, Ben R. Stone Sr. who was a role model and "Archetypical Gentleman" and our Uncle Jacob D. Stone, "always a Happy and Cheerful man". He also loved and admired his Pioneer maternal grandparents, Horace and Charlotte Clark. Ben had the good fortune to spend ten years with his Loving wife Diane 'Dannie' Matter Geary with whom he was able to share their remaining Golden Years.

Our thanks to the staff at Bella Vista Care and Rehabilitation Center, in Rapid City, who will also miss Ben for his humor and always polite nature. You were all wonderful!

Ben's final rites will be the 16th of June at 1:00. Services will be held at Christ Church Episcopal in Lead, the family church for six generations.

Because of his passion for theater and Homestake, memorials will go to the Homestake Opera House for a special project. Cards may be mailed to the family home, 114 Siever St., Lead 57754.