June 1, 1963 - October 15, 2010

Former Claremont resident Bennett  "Ben" Tracy Huffman took his own life on October 15, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 47. Most recently, he was a resident of Camas, Washington.

The son of Pat Huffman of Claremont and the late Jim Huffman, Mr. Huffman was born in Pomona on June 1, 1963. He grew up in Claremont and attended Vista and Sycamore Elementary Schools, El Roble Intermediate School and Claremont High School (1982).

Following high school, Mr. Huffman graduated from the University of Redlands in 1986, earning his degree from the university’s Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, a special program that focuses on individualized and interdisciplinary academic study.

He then studied and wrote with author Ken Kesey, most known for One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, at the University of Oregon, which resulted in the completion of his MFA in creative writing in 1989. Continuing his education, Mr. Huffman attended the University of Liverpool, earning a master’s degree in 1997 in British Literature, during which time he completed his thesis, “The Aesthetics of Mortality in the Middle English Lyric; and, in 2001, he earned his PhD in American Literature, titling his dissertation, “Fictional Forms and Social Visions in the Works of Ken Kesey.”

Since 2001, Mr. Huffman has taught creative writing and literature at several academic institutions in Oregon including Concordia University, Portland State University and Western Oregon University. Many of his articles, essays and poems have been published.

Prior to and in tandem with his professorial positions, Mr. Huffman was employed for more than 20 years with the Department of Agriculture in Oregon, working in the Insect and Pest Prevention and Management Program.

Mr. Huffman is survived by his wife Jennifer Huffman of Camas, Washington; his sons, Jesse Hanson of Vancouver, Washington and Carter Huffman of Camas, Washington; his stepson, Keenan Wilson of Camas, Washington; his mother, Pat Huffman of Claremont; his brother and sister-in-law, Jonathan Huffman and Sarah Farley of San Francisco; his sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Ned Garn of Tucson, Arizona; his niece and nephew, Madeleine and Ethan Garn of Tucson, Arizona; his uncle and aunt, Bill and Donna Bayless of Lakewood; and his cousins, David Bayless, Karen Bayless-Feldman, Paul Bayless Jr., Aaron Bayless, Diane Green, Debi Sterling, Darby Huffman, Katrina Hollingsworth, Janice Hanson, Sam Huffman, Teresa Hodson, Clark Tubbesing and Carol Lorre. He was preceded in death by his aunt, Betty Huffman; and by his uncles, Jack Huffman and Paul Bayless.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bennett T. Huffman Memorial Account, established for his sons, Jesse Dylan Hanson and Carter Lee Huffman. Checks may be made out to The Bennett T. Huffman Memorial Account and mailed to Pat Huffman, c/o Options, 885 S. Village Oaks Dr., Covina, CA 91724.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Claremont Friends Meetinghouse, 727 Harrison Ave.