Ben Jackson Risse’ passed away on New Year’s Eve after a long battle with Cancer, with his family present. He is survived by his loving wife, Rita Jo and two daughters: Holly Lorens (Gary) and daughter Stevie Wright, and Gabi (Percy) North and two children Jessie and Jason North. Jack was preceded in death by his son Gregory Risse’. Jack was born and raised in Toccoa, GA the son of Janet and Ernest Risse’. He received a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1958. He co-oped at Lockheed to pay for his education. He started his Missile career with the Army Rocket and Guided Missile Agency on Redstone Arsenal as part of his Military commitment as a U.S. Army Lieutenant in 1959, and lived the rest of his ife in Huntsville. He held many management positions with the Missile Command, received a MS in Business from MIT/Sloan Fellow in 1974, before retiring in 1988 as a MICOM Lab Director. He continued his career with CAS for an additional 16 years. Jack was active in community service including AUSA, ADPA, Rotary Club, the Museum of Art and Botanical Gardens. Jack played football in high school and continued his love of sports with tennis, fishing, snow skiing and golf. Jack was a good friend to many, impacting those who know him with his sheer love for life. His presence will be sorely missed, but memories will live on in our hearts. There will be a Private Service in Toccoa, GA at a later date.
