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When I got the news that Ben had left us, I was in
the middle of discussions about a trip we were about to take to, in part, celebrate his 26th birthday. It was a devastating
blow, as you can imagine. Everything stopped. I couldn’t even think straight about it. I’d just seen him a week
ago at our STARFLEET meeting. I even have a picture of him from about this time last year when we went to Universal Studios.
The picture is of him, me and our friend Anselmo posing with Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. Ever the jokester, he’s posing as
if he were a hungry puppy begging for table scraps. I look back at pictures of that trip, and of the many pictures we have
of him from our chapter website, and I still can’t believe he’s gone.
I met Ben a day after he joined our
group. We were at a gaming convention, and he joined us the day he met us. Even then, I saw that we had a character on our
hands. He was funny, quick and smart. And he was fun to be around. But as I got to know him, I also saw that he was a caring,
hard-working and loyal person as well. He would have his moments, as we all do. But he knew at most times when to be serious
and when to be jovial. He helped us not take ourselves too seriously, as he never took himself.
As a member of our
group, he was a dedicated and selfless worker. For those of you who don’t know, the BLACKSTAR is part STAR TREK fan
group and part community service organization. Ben participated with us in countless activities, both charitable and social.
As part of our group, he participated with us for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation fundraiser
walk at MetroZoo, and our projects to benefit the local charity organization HANDS-ON MIAMI.
He also took part in
the many conventions and fun trips the group took. The one I will remember most, I think, is the trip we took early last year
to the Disney/MGM Studios. There, Ben and I posed for one of those “fun photos” as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan
Kenobi from the STAR WARS films. I think, more than anything, it shows both his dedication to fandom and his not-so-serious
attitude toward life.
The Ben I knew—the Ben I KNOW and will always remember—is a great person, a great
fan, a great officer…but most importantly, a great friend. I will miss him, as will we all.
Ben, The Word Is
Given…Warp Speed, My Friend.
Ben Feld, Shaggy, Nick Roche, Scooby-Doo & Anselmo
Melo
at Universal Studios Florida in 2003
Ben Feld & Nick Roche as
Anakin Skywalker & Obi-Wan Kenobi
Taken at DISNEY/MGM STUDIOS in 2003
UPDATE: In permanent memory of Ben, the USS BLACKSTAR
has christened its' second Shuttlevan the SHUTTLECRAFT BENJAMIN FELD NCC-75003/02.
Said van was donated to the chapter
by Mark Evans, owner/operator of
OUTLAND STATION in Miami, Florida. Ben's
father, Wolf Feld, was in attendance.
For photos of the event, click here.
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