Walter Benjamin Harvey

Obituary

Walter Benjamin Harvey, 81, formerly of Glastonbury, CT, passed away Saturday, September 20, 2025 after an eight year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Ben grew up in Garden City, NY, and later attended Cornell University where he was part of the Von Cramm Co-op, elected to Tau Beta Pi, earned a Bachelor of Science in 1966, and a Master of Aerospace Engineering in 1967. After college Ben served in the Peace Corps at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, where he taught college level physics and math. While there, he and other Peace Corps volunteers were extras in the movie “Too Late The Hero” and partied with its Academy Award winning stars Michael Caine and Cliff Robertson.

Ben married Arlene Benke Harvey and moved to Glastonbury in 1969 when he joined jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT. During his 30 year career, he was a valued member of the Engineering Department specializing in the analysis of turbines and compressors for advanced commercial and military engines. He lived in Glastonbury until 2018 when he moved to Louisville, CO so his daughter could help manage his disease.

Ben loved skiing with “the guys,” among whom he was affectionately known as “Powderman.” Over decades, this ski crew went to many mountains in Vermont and Utah. Ben also explored ski areas all over Colorado, heli skied in Canada, and climbed Tuckerman’s Ravine in New Hampshire. He traveled overseas with friends and had fond memories of his trips to Australia, Spain, Honduras, The Philippines, Istanbul and Budapest. He also enjoyed his Thursday night golf league, and took annual golf trips to Vermont, Myrtle Beach, SC, Bonita Springs, FL and the Dominican Republic. He collected baseball caps of places he visited and would wear them as conversation pieces.

He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Harvey, her husband, Robert Claus, and their children, Skylar Harvey and Emily Claus, all of Louisville, Colorado. He is also survived by his brother, George Harvey of Tallahassee, Florida, and his sister, Claudia Harvey, of Jacksonville, Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene Benke Harvey and his parents, William and Dorothy Harvey.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ben’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at lbda.org/donate.

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