“Ben was extremely goal oriented, intuitive and hard – working. A middle school teacher wrote, ‘If you look up the definition of determination, you will find a picture of Ben Wilson”. As his Aunt Kathy put it, ‘Once Ben decided to do something, he was all-in.’ Ben called these traits ‘a positive risk-taking approach to life.’ When he applied to college, Ben wrote, ‘I value positive risk-taking so much because it helps me be the best version of myself.’ His approach to life translated into so many different activities growing up.

“Ben loved surfing. He spent countless hours bobbing in the ocean at Sea Bright waiting for the next good wave and participated on the RFH surf team. Ben was thrilled when he ‘got barreled’ at the Banzai Pipeline while vacationing in Hawaii when he was 11 years old. Ben was even more passionate about snowboarding. He loved spending entire days carving the slopes and doing tricks in the terrain parks at Stratton Mountain in Vermont. He later took weekend trips to Chamonix and Val d’Isere in France, while studying abroad. Every new adventure left a distinct impression on him. Ben had an intense entrepreneurial spirit.

“In high school, he started his own internet resale business, specializing in sneakers and Supreme brand clothing. By analyzing different price data, Ben developed a much more efficient transaction model. Ben’s business eventually made over $35,000. As a reminder of his business success, Ben kept one of his first purchases, a Supreme/Fox motocross jersey, in his closet. Ben was a skilled tinkerer with a diverse set of mechanical talents. One of his earliest projects was taking apart and reassembling his Big Ripper bike so he could bring it with him on a flight to Florida. From there, his abilities only grew. Ben could assemble, repair, and even design all kinds of things—from creating an intricate LED lighting system for his desk to completely rebuilding the engine of his cherished BMW M4. He also used his 3D printer to craft various items, including an iPhone holder for his dad.

“With YouTube at his fingertips, Ben could fix or build just about anything. Ben’s passion for cars and motorcycles was unlimited. He thrived on modifying his vehicles to make them faster, louder, and more eye-catching. His parents’ garage resembled a mechanic’s workshop, packed with a vast array of specialized, heavy-duty tools and equipment. Recently, Ben had created a prototype for a motorcycle dashcam, and he couldn’t contain his excitement about the potential commercial applications it could have.

“Above all, Ben will be remembered as a caring and loving soul with a wonderful disposition. He had an amazing and wide ranging “can do” attitude. He was a devoted son who loved spending time and traveling with his parents. From the beaches of the Caribbean, to the slopes of Jackson Hole, to the rolling hills of Tuscany, he loved exploring the world.

“His family and friends will forever cherish his legacy of love, leadership, unwavering perseverance, and humor.”

Loved ones of Ben Wilson in his obituary