Benjamin Albert Dent

Born in New Orleans in September 1936, Ben attended the Oakwood Friends School, which he referred to as his “second home.” After Oakwood, Ben went on to Haverford College and earned his Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. While at Haverford he met and married Carolyn Morant, with whom he had two daughters Laura and Lindsay. In 1986, he met Carol Ireland and her two daughters, Dawn and Marin. Ben and Carol married in 2004.

He credits Haverford’s math department with his introduction to computers and the Burroughs/Unisys Corporation, where he had a rewarding thirty-five year career, traveled extensively and made friendships across the globe. After retiring from Burroughs/Unisys, he began a second career at Amgen Corporation. He finally retired, in earnest, in 2003.

Named after his physician grandfather, Dr. Benjamin Jesse Covington, Ben loved tennis, jazz music, photography, cars, organizing, and lunching with friends. Ben was a basketball player through college and later played tennis and volleyball for fun. He took great joy in traveling and in keeping up with his girls.

Ben was predeceased by his father, Dr. Albert Walter Dent, president emeritus of Dillard University; his mother, Jessie Covington Dent, an Oberlin and Juilliard-trained concert pianist; his brother, Thomas Covington Dent, poet, writer and civil rights activist; and his first wife Carolyn Morant Dent, a Bryn Mawr College alumna.

Ben is survived by his wife, Carol Ireland; his brother Walter Dent and his wife Jeanne; his daughter Laura Dent and her husband Frank Piper; his daughter Lindsay Dent; his daughter Dawn Ireland and her husband James Broom; and his daughter Marin Ireland. He had strong connections with extended family and a terrific network of friends.

To honor Ben, please consider making a memorial contribution in his name to Oakwood Friends School online at www.oakwoodfriends.org/forms/donate-to-oakwood-friends-school/, or send a check to the attention of the Development Department with “in memory of Ben Dent” in the memo line. The mailing address is 22 Spackenkill Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY. 12603.