Former Glee Club member Benjamin Allen Baird, 24, of Ames and formerly of Denver, Iowa, died Saturday, April 12, 2008 at his home from complications of a seizure.
Ben was born on May 10, 1983, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Wayne and Sheila (Busch) Baird. In 2001, Ben graduated from Denver High School, and he graduated from University of Northern Iowa in 2005 with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. While attending UNI, Ben worked in chemical research. He was working towards his doctorate in chemistry at Iowa State University in Ames, and was employed by ISU as a research assistant.

Ben enjoyed sports - he wrestled and played football in high school. He was a member of St Mary's Catholic Church in Waverly, a Boy's State Attendee, and a member of the American Association of Chemists. Ben was also very involved in music. He was a member of the UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club and mixed choir at UNI, and was an All State musician in high school.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waverly with Father Mike Tauke officiating. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Denver. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 16 at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Denver with family greeting friends from 4 until 8 pm and on Thursday at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral home in Waverly one hour prior to the service. A memorial has been established to UNI Chemistry Department Foundation.

<< Back to News Listing