Benjamin Joseph Haller III

MAY 9, 1945 – MARCH 2, 2024

Ben Haller III, age 78, passed away on March 2, 2024, at Bishop Drumm nursing home in Johnston, Iowa, after a long illness. Ben moved to Bishop Drumm in 2022.

Ben grew up in West Des Moines where he attended grade school at Phoenix Academy and then Sacred Heart, and he graduated from Dowling High School in 1963. He graduated from college at Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri in 1967. After college Ben applied to the draft board and was eventually granted conscientious objector status, and he was ordered to serve his country by working for two years as a hospital orderly as an acknowledged alternative to military service. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master's degree in Celtic languages. 

In 1981, Ben moved to San Francisco, where he lived for 41 years. He fit perfectly into the San Francisco life. He was cultured and sophisticated and a lifelong gourmet cook and wine connoisseur. He worked for over 20 years at the San Francisco Nieman Marcus store in the Epicure food and wine section and eventually became the wine buyer for the store. He served for two years as the Epicure Manager at the Palo Alto Nieman Marcus store. 

Ben had many wonderful qualities that made him beloved by family and friends alike. He was a very spiritual and religious person, always dedicated to his faith and very knowledgeable about religion.

He was extremely sociable, and his friends and family were always touched by Ben's kindness, sensitivity, and humor. He knew almost everyone in his San Francisco neighborhood of Nob Hill, where he lived for over 30 years. His neighbors eventually held a fun event at which they proclaimed him the "Mayor of Nob Hill," reflecting their fondness for him and the good will and humor he brought to the entire community. Ben loved his Basset hound Leah and the neighbors have many legendary and humorous stories about Ben and Leah doing this and that. Ben also had a large group of close friends throughout the city and at his church Notre Dame des Victoire, where he was active in the RCIA program.

Ben served as a volunteer tutor at the San Francisco library for almost 20 years, where he taught English and other subjects to newly immigrated adults. He became a tutor, mentor, and friend to countless people from the time they arrived in San Francisco knowing no English until years later when they had Ben at their side as they became American citizens. 

Ben's friends and family were always aware that he was extremely smart and well read, with an astonishing breadth of knowledge. He was very modest about it, but he spoke several languages, including English, Icelandic, Irish Gaelic, French, German, Latin, some Spanish, some Mandarin, some Japanese, and some of the other Celtic languages. 

Ben loved his family and all the children. There are many photos of Ben with a joyous look holding nephews and nieces and grand nephews and nieces as babies. One landmark family event was when everyone went to pick up Ben at the airport, and one of the small children wrote a big sign welcoming "Uncle Bun." Forever after he was Uncle Bun to the family.

Ben was preceded in death by Tony Molina, his beloved partner of over 20 years; his parents Ben and Peggy Haller; and his aunt Kathryn Haller, who was also his dear friend for over 20 years in San Francisco. 

Ben is survived by 33 family members, including four siblings and their three spouses: John Haller of Winterset, Iowa; Tom and Jann Haller of Omaha; Ann and Brian Gismot of Binghamton, New York; and Mary Sue and Al Lone of Urbandale, Iowa. He is also survived by 14 nephews, nieces, and spouses, and 12 grand nephews and nieces: Tom and Jann Haller's children Erin and Dave Morain, Sara and Brian Fleming, and Catherine and Alex Koth; and grand nephews and nieces Will, Norah, and Colin Morain; Brody and Clare Fleming; and Aiden and Madelyn Koth; Ann and Brian Gismot's children Nathan and Kristy Gismot, and Megan and Mike Trawicki; and grand nephews and nieces Harvey Gismot and Samantha Trawicki; Mary Sue and Al Lone's children Jessica and Erik Bair, Kevin Lone, and Tim Lone; and grand nephews and nieces Katie and Emily Bair; and James Lone.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for charitable distribution.

McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary & Resthaven Cemetery, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265; 515-225-7225.