September 22, 1913 - May 3, 2011

Bennet Hove passed away very peacefully on Tuesday, May 3 at 3:00 p.m. at the age of 97.

Ben was predeceased by his parents, his siblings, Ruth, Phyllis, Hobert, and Phora, and his first wife Helen.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Doll and his sons Rioh, Hoberly, Rhico and Philo (now Pavaro Bhikku), as well as his daughters-in-law, Lillian, Maureen and Penny, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He will also be missed by Doll's children, John (Sharlene) Froese, Linda (Ron) Clifton and Daryl (Vicky) Froese and their children.

He grew up in the farming community of Volga, South Dakota, studied agriculture at the University of South Dakota, and worked in the dairy sector in California before venturing to Canada.

Ben moved his family to Grand Forks in 1948 from Penticton, where he worked for the Oliver Chemical Company. He quickly acquired farm land and established his sprinkler irrigation business.

In the 1950s and 60s, Ben became the leading irrigation businessman in Southern B.C., with operations from the Okanagan Valley to the Alberta border. He specialized in the agri-business, as well as government and golf course irrigation design. In his later years, he reflected with satisfaction on having designed and installed systems for virtually every sizable farm in southern B.C.

For many years, he was a director and board chair on the Interior Vegetable Marketing Board.

He was always ready to try new methods and farm equipment.

Ben's irrigation expertise lead to him being appointed as a Vice President of Alcan Canada. He directed the aluminum products fabrication plant, which served the Pacific Northwest from its location in Vernon. When he retired from Alcan, he and Doll returned to Grand Forks.
After selling his farm acreage, well into normal retirement age, Ben turned to trucking and had as many as five trucks hauling chips for DC Chambers to the Castlegar Mill. He retired from this last business venture at the age of 84.

In retirement years Ben and Doll finally found time for travel to Alaska, Hawaii, New Orleans, Branson and various other destinations. When not travelling, Ben could be found golfing at the Christina Lake Golf and Country Club with his many friends and his wife, Doll. Ben, along with other community-minded leaders, built the Christina Lake Golf course in 1962.

In Grand Forks he was active in contributing to his community. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Regional Grand Forks Hospital, as a Director of Regional District D, was a member of the Gyros and in his later years sang with the Grand Forks Choral Society community choir with his beautiful baritone voice.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Grand Forks Funeral Home.

The Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the Gospel Chapel, 7048 Donaldson Drive, Grand Forks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.