Benjamin Brink
Benjamin Brink passed away on the morning of January 13, 2021 after a long fight with type 1 diabetes which led to kidney failure, heart failure and other chronic conditions. Ben was born on May 30, 1954 to Donald and Julia Brink and grew up with his brother, Burt Brink. He is survived by his wife, Ming Brink, and daughter, Zanzan Brink.
Ben earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ohio University and worked as a photographer, photo editor, and videographer at newspapers in Everett, WA, West Palm Beach, FL, Biddeford, ME, Rochester, NY, Norfolk, VA, and St Paul, MN, before settling down in Portland, OR at The Oregonian, where he worked for 25 years. He was passionate about photographing Portland as well as international destinations including the war in Afghanistan, the famine in Kenya, and the Rwandan Genocide just to name a few.
Ben was curious about everything both inside and outside of work, and created close friendships with every community he was a part of. His strong Christian faith allowed him to be a light to others and he frequently volunteered in efforts to help those in need. Ben’s passion, sense of humor, and kind spirit will be missed.
Any words or stories left will be appreciated.
– Ming and Zanzan
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Terry Eiler posted on 1/21/21
I first me Ben as a third-year student at OHIO University. He had transferred from Everett Community College where he learned basic and intermediate photography from Lloyd Weller. He was a curious, giving and eager young talent ready to learn more about visual journalism. When he returned to OHIO years later for his advanced degree, he was a working professional ready to take his skills to the next level. He was a talented photographer, a solid picture editor and most importantly a friend. When his work at the Oregonian can to an end, he found a way to help others, sometimes with a camera but often with a smile and a story about living with diabetes. Ben was part of a significant era in photojournalism in Biddeford Maine. I have a box of miniature Biddeford picture pages that he and the Biddeford photographic team produced in the paper’s “golden era.” He made them for me to use as a teaching tool at OHIO in the School of Visual Communication. They are a treasured archive of their work. My condolences to Ming and Zanzan. Ben Brink you were a friend to so many people and an eager visual storyteller. Rest in Peace my friend.