Ben Frank Gosser

The Life of Ben F. Gosser 1927 to 2019

Ben Gosser is remembered by his 4 children Sandra Stephenson, Tim Gosser, Jill Ittner, and Tomi Gosser-Sutton; 9 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. Ben lived his life to the fullest and could certainly turn a phrase. Often when asked how he was doing; his reply would be “Happy as a pig in the sunshine.” or “Good as an old man can get.” Ben’s childhood was spent in Florida growing strawberries, catching chickens for his mother, and wrestling the occasional alligator. Ben received his parents’ permission to enlist in the Navy at just 17 so that he could fight in WWII. He was stationed in the South Pacific on a PT Boat where he alternated between increasing in rank and get busted back down. After the war he returned home to Florida where he entered the construction field. He started as a carpenter and rose through his hard work and dedication to superintendent with Howland Construction. During this period, he also met the love of his life Ann. Ann and Ben’s relationship can be described with one word: passion. They loved, fought, laughed and cried always remaining 100% dedicated to each other and their family. They eloped to Georgia and their family began to grow. As Ben’s career took off, he worked on many notable projects and the family traveled with him. In Florida Ben helped to build the Miami Medical School, the Miami International Airport hotel, and several airline hangers. Next, they moved to Birmingham, Alabama where his project was the Birmingham Airport Hotel. Later the entire family came to California as Ben became the superintendent for the Los Angeles International Hotel now the Hyatt House. Ben introduced a new fixed schedule management style to California construction projects. Sometime this style involved a foot, but for the most part Ben was a fair no-nonsense manager that demanded performance. Ben finished this project ahead of schedule opening the International Hotel almost a year early. Although, he almost missed the grand opening getting arrested the night before for telling a cop off for walking across a new travertine floor the crew had just finished. Next Ben built the large United States Post Office on Century Blvd near LAX and a bank. California was in his blood and the family settled in Torrance. He then opened his own company Golden State Precast where he provided seals to USC, managed the construction of a mall in Abu Dhabi, and countless other projects in the Los Angeles area. He became interested in real estate development in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties where he built homes, apartments, and had an avocado ranch. He could have written a book on easements and how to make money off of them. He suffered his first heart trouble in the 80’s and there were several years of baked skinless chicken after that, but it did not slow him down. He continued in real estate development for the next 40 years. When Ann became sick with Alzheimer’s he was the most dedicated husband you could find. He cared for her almost single handedly at home for several years, and when the time came for her to live at Artesia Gardens, he visited her daily. Losing Ann in 2014 was a hard hit to Ben. He missed her more than can be imagined. He lived his remaining years in their family home enjoying a bit of work and a lot of family. Dad, we will miss you more than peas miss honey. We love you so very much.


Some of his favorites…

I eat my peas with honey. I've done it all my life. It makes the peas taste funny, but it keeps them on my knife.

Happy as a pig in the sunshine.

Better than a sharp stick in the eye.

As good as an old man can get.

Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.

Colder than a Witches Tit.

Cut a fat hog in the ass!

Darling…Saphire…

Hell, yes. I’m in a good mood.

I wish I was lucky instead of so damn good looking.

It's colder than a Well-Diggers Ass in the Klondike.

It's like beating yourself in the head with a hammer. It feels so good when you stop.

Like a Duck on a June bug

Like picking fly shit out of pepper with boxing gloves on.

Like pissing on a flat rock.

Look at the tits on that one/broad.

Blivot: Two pounds of shit in a 1-pound bag.