OUR BENEFACTORS
THE BALLYHOO
CONGRESS OF THE ODD
BEN UNDERWOOD HAS DIED.
I have just heard that modern human marvel Ben Underwood, featured here for his amazing echolocation talent, passed away on January 19, 2009 at age of 16. He was taken by the same cancer that claimed his sight and leaves behind a legacy of inspiration few will ever match.
I offer my sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
© 2009 – 2010, J Tithonus Pednaud. All rights reserved.
RECOMMENDED READING
American Sideshow: An Encyclopedia
Freak Show: Presenting Human Oddities for Amusement and Profit
Sideshow U.S.A.: Freaks and the American Cultural Imagination
Freaks, Geeks, and Strange Girls
Pickled Punks & Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midways of America
The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton: A True Story of Conjoined Twins
The Circus Age: Culture and Society under the American Big Top
Freakery: Cultural Spectacles of the Extraordinary Body
James Taylor's Shocked and Amazed: On & Off the Midway
THE AUTHOR
J Tithonus Pednaud has dedicated this site to highlighting the remarkable lives of those born exceedingly different. These so-called freaks and human oddities stand as uplifting testaments to human spirit and serve as inspiring examples of human tenacity.
58 Responses to “BEN UNDERWOOD HAS DIED.”
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Well crap… That was one talented guy. Sorry to hear :(
He was so young! This is such a shock.
I offer my condolences too. He was a remarkable young man.
This is so sad to hear, not long ago i saw him on tv, it was amazzing to watch. My heart goes to his family. He was so young.
What a remarkable young man he was.. I seen Ben on the Ellen show and was so inspired by him…My condolences to his family.
Very sad news. He was an inspiration to me. I will always admire his and his mother’s strength.
This is tragic. He seemed to be at the heart of his family. I know his mother must be decimated. So very sad. My thoughts are with her.
Too sad for words, but he was amazing and his memory should serve as the ultimate inspiration for anyone who ever feels that all hope is lost.
How sad :(
rip ben
So sorry what a remarkable young man. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
omg. I loved him. he was a superhuman! I cant believe he died :(
RIP Ben Underwood. Its so sad
I give my deepest condolenses to Ben Underwood’s family. I saw him and his incredible talent on tv last year, I was amazed. Right now, I am still holding my hand to my mouth in shock. He was a wondeful boy. His mother must be proud of him, and I’m sure he’s happy in heaven. With love.
I am very sorry for the pain that Ben’s mom and his loved ones are going through…and I am sad not to have gotten to know him in person.
God bless.
So very sad… my thoughts are with his family and friends. What a remarkable person he was!
Ben had such a Special gift which allowed him to ‘see’ in his unique way. His self pride and desire to Be independent impressed each of us that saw his TV appearances. His passing was unexpected to those of us in the public that did not know him. However, the strength of him and his family is even more amazing because it is likely that They knew that his future health remained a matter of concern and risk, yet he went about living his life to the fullest.
Ben is now looking down upon his family with a New sight that is clearer than any he could have had here on earth. …I am sure they know that with all their heart and love. May they all move forward, knowing that Ben represented himself, and them, with the greatest pride, and the love of all who saw or met him while he was here. RIP
this is very sad indeed, he was an amazing boy who had an amazing gift.
RIP ben.
I’m so sorry to hear that. My condolences to his family.
To Ben’s family;
I was so sorry to hear that Ben had died. I watched with awe the show that was done on Ben’s life and echolocation abilities. I could not help but love Ben watching him conquer everything he came across. He seemed to have no fear, he was so full of discovery and talent it just made me be in awe of what God can do with Ben. I was very happy to see that he was given opportunity to do things he might not have been able to do because of the Discovery Channel show.
I cried when I saw that his cancer had returned and he lost his fight. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends. We have witnessed a miracle live among us. I wish I could have known him personally. Now you know he’s in heaven showing God how to echolocate, lol. To his mother, thank you for sharing Ben with the world. The world is a far better place having had Ben among us if even for a short time. Thank you Ben. So long, see you in Heaven.
Wes Horn
Satellite Beach, Florida
Oh, my gosh, that is so sad. I can’t believe he’s dead, and he’s only like, 16! :(
Iv just finished watching the tv show about ben what a wonderful young boy i was so sad when i found out he had passed I googled him to see what he was doing with his life now :( I would of loved to meet him Its people like ben that make me feel like nothing is beyond our reach and with a little bit of guts we can reach the top of any hill or mountine Rip Ben you are missed xx
England Aylesbury
this guy is superman
It hurts me too say i was it was my birthday when Ben past away. He is an inspirational person and will truely be missed and never forgotten. To hiu should be proud.
To Ben’s Mother: You should be proud to have an angel as your son.
i read his story what a wonderfull kid so sad he is dead now broke my heart
I just learned about this young man and it happens to be a little over a year since he’s passed. I wish that I could have met him. When I read the end of the article that I read abouthim and saw that he had gone, my heart shattered, and moments after that I started crying; and I still am. This makes me thankful for every single day that God blesses me with on this earth.
R.I.P. Ben Underwood
Ben is an angel now, and he can see God.
Ave, Maria, gratia plena, Dominus Tecum, benedicta Tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris Tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. Angele Dei, qui custos es mei, me Tibi commissum pietate superna, illumina, custodi, rege et guberna. Amen.
Rest in peace, Ben Underwood.
Sono davvero commosso per la storia di questo fratello, non aveva nulla in meno di noi, anzi credo ci abbia insegnato tanto. Il nostro corpo è completo di tutto, basta allenarlo. Qualcuno dovrebbe studiare come aiutare il prossimo invece di spedere energie in guerre e distruzioni. Ben, see you next life.
Mirko
RIP. Truly amazing young man!! I still share his amazing talents to everyone that will listen. The one person I still say that is amazing is his mother!!! Continue on!!! GOD Bless!!
I saw that boy and I was shocked,totally amazed by his power and his intelligence .. He will be missed ’cause he was Special.
im bens brother thank every one for the love be on the look out for his book and movie 916 476 5089 if you have any questions call me
oh no :( I saw a show about him… that’s so sad
Indeed it’s very pathetic ! But then, that which has a BEGINNING has to END one day or the other ! Also we all know all good things End Soooon !
HE is not just GOOD HE is the BEST in the realm of INSPIRATION !!!
Hari OM Tat Sat !!!
cooooooooooooooool hg
I just got back frm a 2 day workshop. During which the clips on late Ben Underwood was screen. It was an insporational clips. Tried get a copy frm my trainer but she can’t give due to some aggrement made. Was planning to use it for my trainees and athletes. So did a search n was shock to read of Ben’s passing more than a year ago. My sincere condolences beside a prayer for him and his family dat he leave behind. Cry not nor be sad but be proud and happy that his short time on earth has move many people and most importantly God Love him more than his own mother. So to his mum and family members, be happy and proud of Ben – a gift frm God for you.
Regards
Singpaore
i been knew about this but never found this website… but i was devasted wen i found out ben died i didnt know him lik personally… n right now im in my science class and this is the class we watched i guess tv about ben underwood SORRY TO HEAR
he was a living wonder when he passed away 2 years ago it must be a heart break im autistic but he was a better person than anykid i know im so sorry to the family
rip benjamin underwood a very good kid and amazing son with a heart as big as this world
Today we learned about this kid in science class. It was a video from when he was 14 4 years ago. We were all cheering him on and were amazed at what he was doing! But then at the end we heard some news.
My teacher said,
“This video was from 4 years ago. He’s dead now.”
That totally made my day worse.
All my hopes to you Ben Underwood!
Im at a lost for words. He was such a handsome yet strong kid. He was very eager to find his way through life.
My sincere condolesence to the family and friends of Ben Underwood. I watched the documentary about his life and his ecolocation skills last year and just found out that he passed away..Im in shock I must say..He was very inspirational and I could not stop telling anyone who would listen about him. Thank you Lord for lending us Ben so he could show us how to push foward and not give up or give in.
Its wel ova a year nd i jst heard ds 2day. Was discusin hm with my frnds then a frnd said he dead. I cldnt blv. Infact i dint want 2 blv. Only 4 m 2 find d news here dats he passed away 15 months ago. Its so sad. Im heart broken
As a teacher of year 5 students in Australia, we have been reading Louis Braille’s biography. Having seen Ben’s documentary I showed my students how blind people’s other senses are hightened. My students were in aure of Ben and realised that you can do anything you set your mind to. We were sadened to here of Ben’s passing, he has left a lasting impression on the world
OMG! We watched his story in our science lesson today! then i find out he’s gone! I’m soo so so sorry Ben! You were one extraordinary boy that will NEVER EVER be forgotten! When watching your documentry i felt like i knew you! It made me cry! There wasnt a dry eye in the room!
R.I.P Ben ! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
RIP Ben. I am so sad.
Tears flow through my eyes.
RIP Ben, you have been an inspiration to my life.
Darn. Researched inspirational people and found ben. Then I found out he died and i was like: what the hell was that for? Totally amazing but I think the real star is his mom. She encouraged him and helped him so much. will never forget him.
RIP and my best wishes to friends, family and doctors
I just watched a video of Ben interviewed by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro on a TV show. Although I thought it was a beautiful story, and his mother would of course really grieve his death, I believe that life in this world is only temporary, with suffering, and the real treasures and ultimate joy are the eternal ones we can have through the Saviour and LORD Ben also apparently believed in.
rip ben you were and will alwase be a grate guy
I’m so sorry. My father and grandmother have both died of cancer. Their story isn’t quite as epic as this boys, but still sad nonetheless. Now I am diagnosed too. I’m so scared I will die soon… The doctors don’t know… I’m frightened…
Taylor, are you still on this earth? I hope you are! Don’t be afraid…be strong…have faith, everything will be alright, you’ll see. Write me, let me know.
I just a TV programme about BEN and searched in the NET. I was shocked to know that he was no more. I felt very sorry. But for those who lost vision, he was a ray of hope. May his soul rest in peace….
I am almost crying while reading this.. this kid is amazing.. he’s a true inspiration! Hope he’s at a good place now
im in such a shock rigt now i just finished watching a video of his life and i couldnt believe my eyes…. ben was such a blessed kid i love him so much i have so much respect for him and his family he was such a cutie hes in a better place now he died so young im crying right now …. my condolences to hid family p.s i love you ben :(
I came to this site because I was writing an article on amazing people and had heard about Ben. I didn’t know that he had passed away. My sincere condolences to his family. He was an amazing individual that will be remembered.
Wow I am speechless. I can only dream of a time when god rids the world of suffering and death.
I pray that his mom keeps strong.
I just finished watching the documentary about him and it breaks my heart to find out ten minutes after I finished watching it that he passed away. I’m at a loss of words like everybody else, nothing I say will alleviate the pain of the family. Ben will always be an inspiration and people like me will keep running into that documentary and learned we had an extraordinary unique beautiful boy living among us.
Ben Underwood has been alive, until today. Why do I say that? because, I just found out today, 04/16/2013, that he passed away 4 years and 3 months ago. I didn’t hear it in the news, or any other media, here in New York. Well Ben, you’re still with me,in my heart and mind.
Say Hi, to the big guy up there for me. Rest my friend, rest.
R.i.p Ben Underwood. I hope his spirit rests peacefully in heaven. An inspirational, talented, fun, and nice kid. All who appreciated Ben should rip too. Good God bless his soul.b
darn I thought he was going to be the next daredevil
I am searching the web just to find out his whereabouts now in days, 05.07.2013. But after my finding, I am here sitting and typing this lines with tears in my eyes.
Ban Underwood, an incredible boy. You are/will be missed by millions. Love U forever, man!
Mother Underwood, his legacy lives in you…
I don’t feel sad when people die(not even my loved ones). I know that they’ll probably be having the BEST of times while in almost all cases, their poor ignorant family and friends here on earth will be grieving and carrying a totally unnecessary burden on their hearts. MAY GOD HELP US ALL…….See you in Heaven BEN UNDERWOOD!!!