Ben Prins

Ben Prins, M.D.

Ben Prins passed away at home, holding the hand of his beloved wife of 57 years, on April 8th, 2020. Ben touched many lives in the Rogue Valley through his thirty years of medical practice at the Grants Pass Clinic, Three Rivers Hospital, and the White City Veteran’s Domiciliary. A celebration of Ben’s life is planned when social distancing restrictions have been lifted.

Ben was born in Stadskanaal, Netherlands on October 28, 1939 as World War Two engulfed Europe. His early years were spent in occupied Netherlands. In January of 1948, Ben and eight of his siblings immigrated to Southern California with his Mom and Dad. Ben grew up on dairy farms in Southern California with his family. A “farm boy” for life he enjoyed gardening and taking care of animals throughout his 80 years.

In 1958, Ben graduated from Escondido Union High School after being named student body president his senior year. In 1962 he married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and graduated from the University of Redlands. Ben entered University of Southern California Medical School and graduated in 1966 after being elected junior year class president.

Ben rounded out his medical training with internship and residency in Fresno, California and serving two years as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service at a rural health clinic serving the Jicarilla Apaches in Dulce, New Mexico. Ben was board certified in Internal Medicine and commenced his practice in the Rogue Valley in 1972.

Ben and Sharon raised their family of four children in Grants Pass, Oregon. His life revolved around his faith, his family, his medical practice, and his church. As he struggled with respiratory failure, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, he would say God gave him “strength for today and hope for tomorrow.” He was buried at Hillcrest Cemetery on April 13th, 2020 with a small graveside service as his family sang one of his favorite worship hymns “In Christ Alone.”

Ben is survived by his wife Sharon, his children Mark, Darrell, Craig, and Allison, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter.

Donations to honor Ben can be made to Jerome Prairie Bible Church, 2564 Walnut Avenue, Grants Pass OR 97527 or Medical Teams International., PO Box 10, Portland OR 97207.