Ben Cashman
August 31, 1922 - June 6, 2006
Obituary
Ben passed away at home on June 6, 2006 after a brief illness with his loving family at his side. We will miss him dearly, but know he is in the loving hands of the Lord.
Born in Stockton, California but Seattle has been home since he was 12. He received a B.A. and a PhD from the University of Washington and a MA from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Mass. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha and the Oval Club.
During World War II he rose from private to captain and was a combat infantry company commander in Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. In the 1950’s he was an intelligence analyst on China serving in the Pentagon with primary responsibility for preparing reports on events and developments in China for use within the Department of Defense and for other intelligence agencies. and served in Hong Kong as senior Assistant U.S. Army Liaison Officer responsible for collecting information on China. He was on the Seattle University faculty for 25 years including 12 years as chairman of the political science department. In 1987, he became professor emeritus.
He served three terms as president of the Washington State Division of the American Association of University Professors, was a member of the Washington State Electoral Reform Council and the King County Citizens Charter Review Committee. He has had several series on educational and commercial TV stations and has been political commentator on election night principally for KIRO TV in Seattle. In 1973 he was named as an Outstanding Educator of America and in 1979 he was awarded a citation and silver medal by the United Nations Association/USA for his efforts in the cause of peace. Ben served as the Mayor of Lake Forest Park from January 1980 through December 1983.
A long time Rotarian he served as District Governor in 1980-81 and was twice president of the Lake City club and the 1986 charter president of the Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park, WA. He was the guest editorialist in the July 1982 issue of the Rotarian. He has served Rotary International six times as the Presidents’ Representative and addressed over 20 district conferences on various aspects of Rotary. For his long time support and belief in the work of The Rotary Foundation, the Trustees awarded him the Citation for Meritorious Service and the Distinguished Service Award.
Ben is survived by his loving wife, Zoe Ann of 56 years, two sons Alan Bonnie Cashman and Jeff Judy Cashman, grandchildren Colby, Megan Baumgartner, brother in-law Stacy Anderson, nieces and nephew.
A Memorial Service will be held at Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church 17440 Brookside Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98155, Wednesday, June 21st at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow at the Family’s home in Lake Forest Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Rotary International Foundation, C/O 527 Hemlock Way, Edmonds, WA 98020.