Spring 2008

In Memory : Ben Woo

Known for his poise, dignity, and an incisive understanding of community needs, Ben Woo was a staunch ally to people with visual disabilities. Ben served as a trustee over twenty-five years. He was especially passionate about providing services to individuals who are Deaf-Blind or blind with multiple disabilities. In 2003, he was one of the first members of the fledgling Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation where he helped bring a greater focus on resource development to the organization.

“Ben was a leader at the board level in furthering the development of our employee and community services department and our fundraising program,” says President Kirk Adams, whom Ben was instrumental in bringing into the organization.

“Ben was the chair of our rehabilitation services committee for years. He really understood what we were working to accomplish in our programs. He gave a lot of support to providing services for blind and Deaf-Blind people,” says Paula Hoffman, director of Employee and Community Services. “He was someone who would listen carefully and then get things done. He was completely unflappable. I loved working with him.”

“After Ben joined the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation, he made sure the board knew where the distributions of funds raised went,” says Patrick Sullivan, chairman of the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. “He wanted to make sure we understood where the money raised was going and how it was helping the community.”

“Ben clearly understood the importance of providing our blind employees with the specialized training, technology, and supports necessary for success in the workplace,” says Kirk. “He was committed to allocating the resources needed for insuring that blind and Deaf-Blind people could work at the Lighthouse successfully.”

A Seattle native, Ben was a community leader in organizations throughout the Puget Sound. He devoted himself to service throughout his life, founding Seattle organizations including the Wing Luke Asian Museum, the Kin On Nursing Home, and the Puget Sound Mycological Society.

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. staff and board fondly remember Ben and we honor his leadership in advocating for the blind and Deaf-Blind communities. He will be missed.

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