Benjamin Philip von Sück

Benjamin “Ben” Philip von Sück, 43, left the confines of the known world on September 24th, 2024. 

Ben was born on May 25th, 1981, the eldest child of Carol von Sück (Pinard) and the late Christopher “Kit” Mason von Sück. The relative peace of his early childhood quickly shattered by the arrival of his younger sister, Jess. Ben took to his role of older brother with the enthusiasm he would later bring to parenting; in Ben, Jess found a fierce protector and confidante.

Ben was an energetic, precocious child who displayed an early passion for superheroes, comics, and sweeping fantasy—a passion he never lost. Like all adults with good hearts, Ben aged and matured but never allowed himself to lose the spark of curiosity and exploration that underpinned his love of fantasy and science fiction. From page to screen to game table, Ben understood the value of good company and a great quest. 

Ben is survived by his son, Kieran, who was undoubtedly the light of his life—fatherhood was Ben’s greatest joy, a blessing he undertook with enthusiasm and endless humor. To joke is human: to dad joke is divine. 

Ben’s life took him on many epic adventures, and he picked up new friends wherever he went: as an artistic metalhead theater kid at Manchester’s Central High; pursuing his BFA in Graphic Design at Keene State College, where he embraced karaoke, all things Halloween, and attended only the most sedate and respectable social events; and as his career and adult life took him from New Hampshire to California and back, he was always sure to be a beloved member of any team. 

During his tenure as an academic advisor at Southern New Hampshire University he advocated tirelessly for the students in his care and was always willing to take the time to ensure that they had the tools they needed to succeed. His colleagues at Bangor Savings Bank remember his cheerful willingness to pursue skills in new languages to connect with customers, and considered him one of the family.

Creativity, curiosity, and generosity of spirit were what defined Ben, gifts he gave to the world without reserve. His interests were wide and varied, but they all reflected a deep appreciation for what it means to be beautifully, hilariously, deeply human. He could quote films with uncanny accuracy, had a special love for comedy (especially comedy-about-comedy), reveled in the science of organic gardening and the artistic flair of a well-written Dungeons and Dragons campaign. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 4th, from 5-7 PM, at Phaneuf Funeral Home, 243 Hanover St., Manchester, NH. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to plant a tree in a National Forest at https://plantatree.fs.usda.gov/tree-donation