Ruben "Ben" Rodriguez

Ruben “BEN” Rodriguez passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, late September 24, 2021 in Plantation, Florida. 

Ben was born March 7, 1944 in Vancouver, Washington, son of Emilio Rodriguez and Sandalia Rodriguez-Ramos of Puerto Rico.

He spent his childhood in New York City and then as a teenager in Puerto Rico.

Ben joined the U.S. Navy in 1962, proudly served aboard several ships and had worked in/transited every country in Central/South America during his career. He retired from the Navy in August 1983.

Ben went on to serve for the U.S. Government as a civilian with the Department of Defense. In his most recent duty location, he served as the Department of Defense Special Representative, Miami, liaison to the U.S. Coast Guard District 7. Ben joked that he spent more time working for the Coast Guard than he did for the Navy. He officially retired in January 2013, completing 30 years in his civilian Federal career, proudly serving over 50 years total for the United States.  A true patriot.

Ben is married to wife Susan and had just recently celebrated 37 years of marriage.

He was a member of the America Legion, Naval Security Group Detachment, Quarterdeck Member of the U.S. Navy Memorial, Washington DC; Wisdom Ring member of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, FL; Porsche Club of America – Gold Coast Region; Harley Owners Group, Cane Coast Riders, Rode with the Patriot Guard, Cousteau Society; Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, USO (United Services Organization), Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House and many more.

Ben has been predeceased by his parents.  Surviving him are his wife Susan, daughter Sandra (Mike) Rodriguez-Ortega (Hawaii), son Benjamin (Texas), granddaughters Jasmine and Marisol (Hawaii), brother E. John Rodriguez (Fort Lauderdale) and several other family members.

Visitation for Ben will be held on Tuesday, October 12^th (4 to 8pm) at the T.M. Ralph Funeral Home, 7001 NW 4^th Street, Plantation, FL 33317. Services will be held Wednesday October 13^th (10am) at that location, followed by travel to the South Florida National Veteran’s Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.  Graveside services are scheduled for 12:30pm. Ben will be laid to rest with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that possible donations be made in his memory to the USO (United Services Organization) or the Wounded Warrior Project.

“A great man is one who leaves others at a loss when he is gone”