Awards

Remembering Longtime IACIS Member and Director Ben Bauman

by Robert Behling, Ph.D.
Executive Director, IACIS

Dr. Ben M. Bauman died Thursday, April 5, 2001, after a short illness. Ben will be remembered for his contributions to and support of IACIS over the past 25 years, along with his many other accomplishments. Ben joined the Air Force right out of high school, and during his 23 years of service rose to the rank of chief master sergeant. His assignments included the following: electronics instructor, supervisor, computer programmer, and systems analyst. Recognizing his skills and potential, the Air Force provided Ben with the opportunity to complete his undergraduate and graduate education at Colorado State University. Ben also served several tours in Vietnam as well as other overseas assignments and was one of the pioneers in the application of military data processing.

Upon retirement from the Air Force Ben accepted an appointment to the faculty of James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA in 1974. It was shortly after he joined the JMU faculty that I met Ben and we began a long and mutually rewarding friendship. We became active in the Society of Data Educators (now known as IACIS), moving through the elected positions and continuing as appointed board members. Ben was appointed Treasurer and Director of Conference Arrangements for many years, and it is because of his stewardship that the organization has enjoyed long-term fiscal success. His selection of conference sites and the arrangements he provided for conference attendees also significantly contributed to the organization’s success in attracting quality research papers and presentations. In recognition of his contributions to higher education, and in particular to the field of computer information systems, Ben was selected as the National Data Educator of the Year in 1985. Ben was a tireless worker, both for his University and for IACIS. As he neared retirement for a second time, Ben stepped down from his responsibilities on the IACIS Board of Directors and scaled back his workload. He had some health issues and wanted to be sure the treasurer’s responsibilities were carried out by someone who had his same commitment to the organization. I know he had a difficult time being relegated to the sidelines, but Ben had done his part in securing the financial health of IACIS and could step down knowing the organization would continue to serve the academic goals and objectives of the membership.

Many of us think of Ben as the “Gentle Giant,” never overtly seeking praise or recognition for his work. His mission in life was to do the best job he could to help guide IACIS through some turbulent times in the growth and application of information systems, and to maintain contact with teaching faculty so we might learn from each other. In this mission he was eminently successful.

Ben, we miss you. However, you did good work while here on earth, and I am sure you are already starting to organize those that are around you now. We appreciate what you have done for IACIS and treasure our friendship. Your family can take comfort in knowing that you have touched many lives over the years, always for the better. Ben's body was cremated, and his ashes are interred at Arlington National Cemetery. His wife of 50 years, Willodean, is still with us along with four children and seven grandchildren.