Obituaries

Benjamin “Ben” Hernandez Rodriguez, age 78, passed away unexpectedly, and tragically on February 6th, 2025, in Madison, WI. Ben was born January 18th, 1947, in Lares, Puerto Rico. Ben was the son of Poligeno Rodriguez and Grecia Hernandez Rodriguez. Ben is survived by his wife of 47 years Dr. Sarah Johnston-Rodriguez, his son Antonio Rodriguez and two grandsons, Elijah (Grace) Rodriguez and Gabriel Rodriguez, two sisters Lucy Willis and Sulma (Rick) Grigalunas, and his brother Angelo Rodriguez. Additionally, he was survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins across the Chicago area.

Ben earned his M.S. degree in Labor and Industrial Relations in 1978 at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where he met his wife in 1976 while she was also in graduate school. Ben earned a B.S. degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University. He attended Waller High School and Quigley Preparatory High School in Chicago, and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.

Ben had an extensive career in Higher Education at UW Madison from 1983-2015, when he retired, as Emeritus Dean. During that time he served as an Assistant Dean in Academic Affairs, College of Letters and Science, Director of Diversity, Director of the Academic Advancement Program, and Director of the UW-Madison Mentor Program. He created the UW Student Job Center and helped found the First Wave Spoken Word Program. As cofounder of LAFSA (Latina/o faculty, staff and graduate students), Ben promoted recruitment and retention of many first generation college students. He was the recipient of numerous awards during his career at UW. In addition, he received the Roberto G. Sanchez Award from Centro Hispano of Dane County for promoting educational opportunities in the Latino Community.

Ben had many hobbies and interests including gardening, music, theater, poetry, and playing with his two dogs Sammie and Mullie who brought him constant companionship. Every year Ben spent countless hours in his extensive vegetable plots and loved giving produce away to friends and family. He was in the process of writing a memoir of his youth in the mountains of Puerto Rico and the Latino barrios of Chicago. Avid adventurers, he and his wife Sarah traveled extensively together throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Scotland, and Ireland.

Ben’s greatest legacy lies with his son and grandsons who he was devoted to and had great pride in. Through his work at UW Madison and in the Madison community Ben provided encouragement, support and devotion to thousands of youth and young adults. His ability to build community is demonstrated by the continuous admiration of the students and colleagues he served.

Ben’s life achievements all stemmed from his desire to foster inspiration and encouragement in the lives of all he knew. He was a community leader and builder who sought to help anyone he could achieve their dreams. His devotion to his students, colleagues, friends, and family continues to provide a shining path forward.

Benjamin Rodriguez was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a mentor, a coach, and a cancer survivor.

We will miss him dearly.

A remembrance service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 3 p.m., at Ryan Funeral Home, 220 Enterprise Drive, Verona. A visitation will be held on Saturday, at the funeral home from 1 p.m., until the time of service.

To view the full obituary and view this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com