Ben W. Tyvand

Ben Tyvand is no longer the oldest living Grizzly football player. Ben died in the early morning hours of Nov. 30, 2015, secure in the fact that the Grizzlies of 2015 were heading to their second playoff game. He was 94 years old.

Born Jan. 14, 1921, in Butte to Henry and Lota Tyvand, Ben (Judge) spent many memorable summers with his brothers Hank (Trapper) and Ray (Rock) at the family cabin at Dewey on the Big Hole River.

Ben graduated from Butte High in 1938, where he was a multi-year letterman in basketball, football and track. Until his senior year, in basketball he played the critical position of center since in that era after each basket there was a jump center. A couple of years ago he was recognized as a Diamond "B," reflecting 75 years since he earned his first letter for the Bulldogs.

Following high school graduation, Ben played football and basketball and participated in track for the Grizzlies until his college years were interrupted by Pearl Harbor. From 1942-1945 he was a member of the 91st Infantry Division (Powder River, Let 'er Buck). The Division participated in three battles in Italy: the Rome-Arno, North Apennines (Gothic Line) and the Po Valley. Until his death he relished memories of the Italian people he met while in service there. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.

After the war, Ben returned to the University of Montana where he again played basketball, football and participated in track for the Grizzlies. Ben was co-captain of the 1947 football team. Ben received his bachelor's degree in education from the university in 1948.

Ben's teaching career started at Beaverhead County High School in 1948 as a history teacher. Ben transferred his athletic expertise to coaching in Dillon, where he coached football, basketball and track. After a successful seven-year run with the Beavers, Ben became the head coach of the Anaconda High Copperheads from 1955-1959. During his Anaconda stay, he was the coach of the Fabulous Freshman team, which included Wayne Estes, who later was an All-American at Utah State.

Following Anaconda, Ben moved to Wallace, Idaho, where he spent 19 memorable years as a teacher and a coach of all sports. While at Wallace he received his master's degree from the University of Montana and he became the school's guidance counselor.

The affection of his Wallace players and students was expressed recently with the establishment of a scholarship in his honor. Students and players from wherever he taught remained friends through Ben's final illness, visiting and calling him frequently. His impact upon his students is an aspiration for any teacher or coach.

Ben ended his career in education in Victor, where for the first time he coached girls' basketball. After a short period of time, he also became the principal at Victor. After three years, he retired.

Just prior to his move to Victor, Ben married Mary, his wife of nearly 40 years. They shared many adventures including a couple of car trips to the East Coast and a trip to the Summer Olympics in California. They attended all Grizzly football home games and were from the start, enthusiastic Lady Griz fans.

Ben enjoyed a long and vigorous retirement. He drove a school bus for Beach Transportation where he made many friends. During the summers, he could be found on almost a daily basis on the University Golf Course. He competed in masters' track meets until his early 70s, and kept himself in marvelous physical condition with a workout at the gym three days a week. Ben was also a superb dancer and he and Mary were often seen on the dance floor on weekends, gracefully gliding across the room to favorites such as "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown." He and Mary also took enormous pride in their lawn and garden as he could be seen early in the morning tending to the watering and never letting the grass go a week without being treated to the lawnmower. In the spring, a favorite pastime was to sit in the bleachers at Dornblaser Field with his stopwatch monitoring the Grizzly track meets as well as attending nearly every high school meet held at Dornblaser.

Ben was preceded in death by his brothers and his daughter, Leslie.

In addition to his loving wife Mary, Ben is survived by his daughter, Charlene Bader and her family; stepchildren, Pat Dowdall (Susanne), Mary Anne Dowdall, Colleen Dowdall (Jay Gilmartin) and Karen Dowdall-Sandford (Christopher Sandford); grandchildren Brendan, Colin and Michael Dowdall; Adam, Eric and Tara Bucy; Siobhan, Patrick and Bridget Gilmartin; and Nicholas Sandford; and numerous nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

Ben's family thanks Partners Hospice and the caregivers from Addus Healthcare who entered our home, caring for Ben and his loved ones.

At Ben's request, there will be no service. Donations in his memory may be made to the Ben Tyvand Scholarship Fund at Wallace Sr. High School, 1 Miners Alley, Wallace, ID 83873.
Read Ben Tyvand's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.