Articles
General · 14th January 2009
Lorna
This picture was taken of Ben on October 10, 2008, and I want to say that whoever took this picture must be thanked profusely. It's a wonderful photo, and has captured the very essence of Ben. Ben Banky was well known as one of the co-founders of Tallgrass in Vancouver, however I'd like to focus on what he meant to me, in the one year that I knew him.
I knew him to be spontaneous in his comments showing no fear of saying his truths. I knew him to be courageous in his actions, stepping right into the center of action, proposing ideas which many did not have the courage to say themselves. I speak for myself when I say that, but recognized the signs in others. I also knew him to be kind. Kind to me at every occasion, welcoming with a hug, and supportive of my ideas along with everyone else's. When I heard that we had lost Ben to a tragic occasion, I was in remorse for all the activities including fun, and laughter and bizarreness, which would not happen without his initiative. It was as if a light had gone out, and things would be dark for awhile. I remember saying to myself 'we must pledge ourselves to staying the course, and even ask 'What would BEN say or do?'
I think of natural health products in Canada, and Ben's initiatives to get people to the table, and I hope & pray that we all remember to carry on in his stead, as if he were right there beside us, because this year will determine the future of natural health products in Canada.
I knew him to be spontaneous in his comments showing no fear of saying his truths. I knew him to be courageous in his actions, stepping right into the center of action, proposing ideas which many did not have the courage to say themselves. I speak for myself when I say that, but recognized the signs in others. I also knew him to be kind. Kind to me at every occasion, welcoming with a hug, and supportive of my ideas along with everyone else's. When I heard that we had lost Ben to a tragic occasion, I was in remorse for all the activities including fun, and laughter and bizarreness, which would not happen without his initiative. It was as if a light had gone out, and things would be dark for awhile. I remember saying to myself 'we must pledge ourselves to staying the course, and even ask 'What would BEN say or do?'
I think of natural health products in Canada, and Ben's initiatives to get people to the table, and I hope & pray that we all remember to carry on in his stead, as if he were right there beside us, because this year will determine the future of natural health products in Canada.
Ben and the big head project!
Becoming a married man
Ben and Matt
Ben and Linda
President, founder (1975) and co-owner Ferlow Botanicals, Va
Comment by Klaus Ferlow on 24th January 2009
Lorna:
When our son Harald called me late that evening that there was a shooting at Tall- Grass's Christmas party and shortly after that I learned that Ben Banky lost his life, it was a tremendous shock and hard to believe.
Ben was , even though I have known him only for 1 1/2 years, a visionary, honest, straight forward with a non-nonsense approach, extremely knowledgeable and excellent reputation in the natural health products industry. He could connect people, even when they are competitors and his intension was to unite the different voices in the indudstry, showed real passion for what he was doing and what he wanted to achieve, a people person and he will be greatly missed and I don't see anybody around at this time who could fill "his shoes.!" He was really "one-of-a-kind" person and it seemed that everyone liked and respected him.
I feel sad because I lost a very good friend and we all have to fullfill his dreams and fight for the survival of our industry.
Yours in health,
Klaus Ferlow
Lorna:
When our son Harald called me late that evening that there was a shooting at Tall- Grass's Christmas party and shortly after that I learned that Ben Banky lost his life, it was a tremendous shock and hard to believe.
Ben was , even though I have known him only for 1 1/2 years, a visionary, honest, straight forward with a non-nonsense approach, extremely knowledgeable and excellent reputation in the natural health products industry. He could connect people, even when they are competitors and his intension was to unite the different voices in the indudstry, showed real passion for what he was doing and what he wanted to achieve, a people person and he will be greatly missed and I don't see anybody around at this time who could fill "his shoes.!" He was really "one-of-a-kind" person and it seemed that everyone liked and respected him.
I feel sad because I lost a very good friend and we all have to fullfill his dreams and fight for the survival of our industry.
Yours in health,
Klaus Ferlow