Benjamin F. Werner

Benjamin F. Werner, 77, decorated veteran of the Korean War, and long-time Shelburne resident, died at home on October 29th after an illness of several months. Mr. Werner is survived by his wife of 49 years Betty (Elizabeth), son Tim, daughters Wendy, Rebecca, and Marta, granddaughters Alisha and Tristin, grandson Alex, and great-grandson Gavon. Mr. Werner was born in Brooklyn in 1931, and moved to Setauket, New York, where he completed high school. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1956, Mr. Werner returned to his home town to pursue a career as a science teacher in the public school system. In 1962 he received his Masters degree from Adelphi College. Later, he managed the math and science programs for the Three Village School District where he focused on grant writing, curriculum development, and implementing innovative teaching methodologies. On sabbatical in 1971, he spent a year evaluating math and science programs in England and Japan. Mr. Werner taught archaeology at Dowling College on Long Island for many years, guest lectured at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, was associated with the National Science Foundation, and worked with local museums to set up educational programs for elementary school children. He designed and built a permanent American Indian exhibit at the Stony Brook Museum. Ben and Betty purchased the Wheeler farm on Shelburnes North Road in 1961 and spent summers during the next two decades restoring the old farm house to its original condition. Ben was an avid traveler, having visited seventy-eight countries over the years, accompanied always by his wife, and often by his children. During these travels he acquired a world class collection of African masks that were recently on exhibit at the Bean Cultural Center in Portsmouth, NH. After retiring to Shelburne in 1984, Ben and Betty started Crow Mountain Antiques, still in operation today, and raised sheep for many years. Ben served as a selectman for the town of Shelburne, and held many other local town positions. He was also instrumental in negotiating the process to build Shelburnes transfer station. Mr. Werner was untiring in his efforts to help improve the quality of life for his Shelburne neighbors, and to preserve the local environment, including the forests and mountains that were such an integral part of his life. Ben so loved this place that he felt it his responsibility to care for it beyond his lifetime. He and Betty are conserving the farm and almost 300 acres around it by donating a conservation easement. His legacy is greater still in having this contribution benefit and leverage the conservation of a larger project in the Androscoggin Valley in Shelburne. Bens legacy is far reaching, as far reaching as a love of place can befrom the Mahoosucs to Carter-Moriahs, along a mighty river that is home to a great man. In Lieu of flowers tributes may be made In Memory Of Ben Werner, The Conservation Fund,1655 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 1300 Arlington, VA 22209 There will be a grave side memorial at Wheeler Cemetery on the North Road Shelburne, NH at 2 PM on Saturday November 8th. In case of inclement weather the memorial will be at the Philbrook Farm, 881 North Road, Shelburne, NH. The Bryant Funeral Home in Gorham is in charge of the arrangements.