Benjamin Richard Hedges lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, January 2, 2021. He was born on March 21, 1953 in Topeka, Kansas to Eldon Thomas and Mary LaVon Hedges.

He grew up in Topeka where family and friends knew him as "Dick". He was a versatile athelete at Topeka High, participating in track, basketball and football. Football was his true love; after high school he played offensive and defensive tackle for Fort Scott Community College. In 1973, he moved to Wichita to play offensive tackle at W.S.U. until 1976. Here he was known as "Ben".  In 1977 he graduated with an Associate and Bachelor's degree in Health Science.

He pursued his career as a Registered Respiratory Therapy. He worked many years at St. Francis and St. Joseph Hospitals, and one year at Wesley Rehab. From 2009-2019 he served as Director of the Respiratory Care Dept. at Kansas Heart Hospital, retiring in March of 2019.

He married the love of his life, Betty, on August 21, 1982, moved from Wichita to Valley Center in 1986 where they raised their six children. Ben was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife; daughters Katie Stoll of Andale and Kelly Stoskopf of Wichita; sons Bradley Hedges, Benjamin Hedges, Blair Hedges, all of Wichita and Blaine Hedges of Valley Center; grandchildren Tori and Riley Stoll, Sullivan Stoskopf and Brooklyn Hedges; brother Thomas Hedges of Topeka; sister Carol Touspern of Denver, Colorado; many other family and friends.

One phrase often uttered during Ben's life was "everyone loves Ben". He was fun loving, kind and gentle, never met a stranger and treated everyone like family.

A private memorial for the immediate family will be held at Baker Funeral Home in Valley Center.  A Celebration of Ben's life is being planned for spring / summer 2021 for all other family and friends. Ben was an outdoorsman who loved to fish and enjoy nature. In his memory, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to "Wild Trust", KDWPT, 512 SE 25 ^th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com