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Twenty eight years old is way too young to have your life ended.

But, no one has control over things that can end a life. No one could have predicted that a brain aneurysm would take Ben Nondorf without warning.

It doesn't seem fair and it shouldn't because it is not.

Ben was a young man who did not let anything slow him down. No grass grew under Ben's feet. He was active, involved and enjoyed a good time after a hard day's or week's work.

Ben had a greeting for everyone and a story to add to it. When Ben held court no one could keep from laughing. He was a pleasure to be around.

Ben had his passions. When he was younger he was a fine athlete. I had the pleasure to coach him in baseball and when it came time to make a play or deliver a clutch hit, Ben would most often come through. He had the right amount of ice water mixed with his blood that went through his veins in pressure situations. He would deliver with that sparkle in his eye we all knew along with that big smile on his face.

His most recent passion was his music. I talked to him at a benefit earlier this summer where his group was going to play. They were doing it to help someone out. That was something Ben was always good at--being good to others.

Sadly, all that was taken away from us.

Ben's memory was honored last weekend when a celebration of his life was held downtown. There was a fundraiser for the family and as they said in the old days, a good time was had by all.

Ben would have liked the good time. He would have been right there with his friends.

On second thought, that is probably right where he was.

We will miss you, Ben.