Although Ben Smith was diagnosed with colon cancer and fought it for four years, it never stifled his dreams.
He foresaw a future where he graduated from Ball State University and became a probation officer. He continued to travel and started a family with his wife, Mindy.
But instead of dreams, there are memories. Senior criminal justice and criminology major Ben Smith, 25, died at 7 a.m. Wednesday, after a battle with cancer that spread to his lungs, liver and back.
Ben was in the hospital for a week before he went into a coma and died. Mindy said the mourning process began then, but she would probably feel worse before she felt better.
"It's not something you expect to deal with when you're 23," she said.
Ben was a good man who was a full-time student and worked a job, Mindy said. He was considerate and had a great sense of humor.
They started dating September 2003 and married in April 2007. She said the illness never put a strain on their marriage.
Mindy said Ben never viewed death as something imminent but something that might happen to him, which is one of the reasons Ben and she married. They didn't want Ben's cancer to stop them from living life and loving one another.
Ron Truelove, Ball State professor of psychology, said he remembered Ben coming in to take his the final exam for his health psychology class in Spring 2007. Ben walked in 20 minutes late with a bucket in hand and a towel wrapped around his neck.
Ben had just started chemotherapy, and it made him sick. He brought the towel to wipe the sweat from his face and the bucket for his vomit.
Truelove said he remembered telling Ben to leave because he was in no condition to take the final, but Ben wouldn't leave the class. He said an illness wasn't an excuse to stop living, Truelove said.
"How many of us would have that attitude while dying of cancer?" Truelove said. "But he did. He was a tremendous young man."
Receiving his diploma
Truelove learned last Monday about Ben's critical condition. He was in a coma and continued breathing without the help of a respirator. His family thought he almost died about three times, but he kept fighting.
Truelove remembered Ben saying he didn't stop going to school because he made a promise to his mother that he would graduate from college. He went to school for seven years, and his senior year lasted about four years.
"I think that he is a hero for the way he wouldn't quiet," Truelove said. "He's my hero, seriously."
Truelove checked his former student's transcript and saw Ben was one class short of graduation. Truelove then initiated a movement to get Ben his diploma.
With the help of more than 10 faculty and staff members throughout the university, Ben received his diploma. He took an independent study course during the summer, which was his last class, and finished the week before his death.
Bryan Byers, Ball State professor of criminal justice and criminology, said the only problem was that he didn't have his transcript updated.
Truelove said faculty and staff rushed through the finalization and printed Ben's diploma. Truelove delivered Ben's diploma to him a day after realizing his condition. Mindy said Ben died about 12 hours later.
"They could have just blown this off," Truelove said about the faculty and staff that helped with Ben's diploma. "It's the best experience in my educational career."
The funeral Mass will be Monday at St. Barnabas church in Indianapolis. The Rosary will be said at 9:15 a.m., and Mass will begin at 10 a.m.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
