Dr. Ben Weller Passes On.

Dr. Ben Weller

 Benjamin 'Ben' F. Weller, age 69, passed away on April 15, 2012.

 Ben Weller was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, (West Africa) on February 28, 1943. He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Nellie Weller.

 He attended the Albert Academy (Sierra Leone), Rutgers University (Camden, NJ), University of Winnipeg (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), and the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he completed his PhD in Political Science. Ben was very interested in world politics. In his life, he attended conferences in numerous countries; Italy, Germany, North and South Korea, U.S. State Department, and other parts of Africa. In the mid 1990's, as part of his PhD coursework, he taught politics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also worked at the Department of Multicultural Affairs for the University of Wisconsin-Madison while completing his dissertation. For 13 years, prior to his retirement in early 2011, Ben worked as a Policy Analyst for the State of Wisconsin in both the Departments of Workforce Development, & Children and Family Services.

Ben Weller was the founder and first president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Tegloma International Federation Inc, the largest indigenous Sierra Leone nonprofit in the world and became Vice Chairman of the federation. In recent years he curtailed his involvement in Tegloma activities.In 2000 Dr. Ben Weller brought Sierra Leone musician Steady bongo to Wisconsin http://steadybongo.com/us-tour-2000.htm  A Tegloma delegation led by the the administration and board chairmen will travel to Wisconsin tomorrow to grace Dr. Weller's funeral.

Ben Weller is survived by his wife of 37 years, Koso, and daughters Jeneba, Amy, and Nyalay Weller. Sisters; Mrs. Beatrice Ajibade of London, Mrs. Elizabeth Fergusson-Nicol of Zimbabwe, brother, Prince Weller of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Nieces; Adele Temple, Layo Ajibade, Lisa and Lorna Fergusson-Nicol, and Elizabeth Weller, nephews; Franklin and Rupert Cole, the Wellers of Virginia, Maryland, Moyamba, and Freetown, and in-laws; Mr. and Mrs. AJ Williams & family in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Bakarr family in Wales U.K., grandnieces & nephews and a great grandnephew. The Carew, Brewah, Farmer Joker, Fofana, Pieh, Sillah, Yaskey families, the AWA, AAM, Oluwole, Academy of Old Boys Association and friends in Madison and abroad.

Dr. Weller

A funeral service will be held at ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 6101 University Avenue, Madison, on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Harold Zimmick presiding. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison. A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at church on Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. until time of service.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary's Adult Day Health Center, UW Hospital, Nazareth Health & Rehab Center, and Asbury United Methodist Church.