Edward Benjamin Clark Lukens ’56

Ben died of heart failure May 26, 2013, after a full and productive life.

After graduating from Exeter, Ben entered Princeton. His senior-year roommates were Dan Gardiner and David Sinkler, though he also considered several others as roommates, including Perry Burns, Dick George, Charlie Grace, Kit Powers, and Tony Potter. Their interests were primarily in liberal arts, particularly English and history. Ben belonged to Cottage Club, as did many of his close friends, where they made full use of the social opportunities offered.

Following graduation, Ben served with the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, a unit of the Pennsylvania National Guard. He loved to travel, in particular to Paris, where he worked with the important clients of J.P. Morgan & Co. He retired to South Portland, Maine, though his summers were spent at Northeast Harbor, Maine.

Ben had a large and extroverted personality. He was gregarious, generous, hilariously funny, given to hyperbole, loyal to the extreme, and very inclusive with many, many friends. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him from the Class of 1956, and elsewhere in his journey through life.

Ben is survived by his brothers, Lewis and Robert, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Peter.