The son of Benjamin H. Zuppan and Mary Johns, Benjamin Zuppan ’54 was born in Crockett, California, on Oct. 8, 1932, and spent most of his childhood there. He graduated from John Swett High School in Crockett in 1950, where he played football and the saxophone. He attended SCU and graduated with a bachelor’s in political science. Ben was on the President’s Honor Roll and a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law fraternity. He was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956.  Upon leaving the service, Ben began law school at the University of San Francisco and was part of the class of 1960. He married Joanne Hite at St. Rose Church in Crockett in 1955. Ben and Joanne moved to Walnut Creek in 1956, where they spent the rest of their lives together. They had three children, John Zuppan, Paul Zuppan, and Patti Zuppan-Hood.  Ben worked as an attorney for Alameda County from 1963 to 1996. He was a deputy district attorney and a deputy county counsel specializing in civil litigation and cases involving the Alameda County Fire Department. In 1996, Ben retired to take care of his ill wife, Joanne, who was the love of his life.  She passed away in 1997 ending, a 42-year marriage. Despite his grief, Ben displayed courage and strength. He was a gentle soul and was always there for his family. He could be counted on to offer a kind word or a listening ear.  Ben was patient, generous and loving.  He was willing to help family and friends with any problem he could. He enjoyed sharing a home with his son, Paul, and living across the street from his daughter, Patti, her husband Ken, and his granddaughter, Nicole. Visits from his son, John, and his wife, Kristina, and grandchildren CJ, Jessica, and Eric were a special treat. Some of Ben’s favorite activities were attending Nicole’s cross country and track meets, going on hikes with Patti and her dogs, and sharing meals together almost every night. Ben loved to eat! He also enjoyed singing along to Frank Sinatra and John Denver and staying up to date on current events with friends during breakfast get-togethers. Ben passed away on Oct. 13, 2017. He was 85 years old. He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Carmichael of Vallejo; his daughter, Patti Zuppan-Hood (husband, Ken Hood) of Walnut Creek; two sons, Paul Zuppan of Walnut Creek and John Zuppan (wife, Kristina Zuppan) of Fayetteville, Georgia; and four grand-hildren: Nicole Hood, CJ Zuppan (wife, Jessica), Jessica Zuppan, and Eric Zuppan.