Benjamin B Caldwell

Ben was an amazing colleague and friend. His work on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (he was first editor) set the standard by which all other accessibility guidelines internationally have been based. He was the quietest strong advocate I know. I never heard him raise his voice - but he never lost a battle on accessibility that I know of. I am supposed to be an expert on accessibility but he was the one I went to on tough questions. He will be deeply missed - but his contributions and impact will last for decades.

I have wonderful memories of working with Ben and Mindy on The Current. So many late nights! I am also lucky to have witnessed the start of their relationship. Ben's generosity, kindness, and humor were gifts to all who knew him. May his memory be a blessing.

Ben was one of the first people I met during our freshman year at Carthage. I remember after meeting him for the first time, that he had the most kindest eyes I’ve ever seen. In Ben’s case, his eyes did show his soul. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met. I am honored that I was able to have his friendship, and was one of the charter members of the summer Minocqua trips. May you rest in peace Ben.

Ben and I met during our freshman year at Carthage College. We both roomed on what the college deemed a study intensive floor. From what I recall there were more pranks to dorm rooms, laughter, and hallway tackle football than studying. I had the privilege of traveling to his childhood home in Minocqua, WI several times for "dock duty", parties at the cabin, and spending time with his family and their yellow labrador Shish. Ben never took himself too serious and it was always an adventure when we were together. Jud Shipman

Ben Caldwell is the first name listed in WCAG 2.0. It is fair to characterize that work as “the single most famous document in accessibility” and I remember how hard he worked on pulling the guidelines together. Ben was such a good person, my condolences to his family.