Benjamin Pinkerton

MADISON- Benjamin Shawhan Pinkerton, age 37, of Madison, Wisconsin passed away on April 22, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born on November 8, 1977 in his treasured hometown of Blacksburg, Virginia, the son of John Michael Pinkerton and Katherine Shawhan Pinkerton. Ben married Karla (Hutton) Pinkerton on August 31, 2013 at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art on what he describes as the best day of his life. Ben was a graduate of Blacksburg High School where he competed for the soccer and football teams. He went on to play soccer for Brevard College (1998) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2001. Ben was a natural leader and served in a number of coaching roles prior to becoming the National Director of SoccerPlus Camps. His passion and love of soccer, coaching and life were contagious and will carry on in many of his former students and colleagues. Beyond coaching and enjoying the outdoors through cycling, running, and hunting, Ben had an incredible love for his family and was very proud of his darling son, Daniel Everett.

In addition to his beloved wife and son, Ben is survived by his parents, John and Kathy Pinkerton of Blacksburg, Virginia; his brother, John Michael Pinkerton, Jr., and his sister-in-law, Connie, and their three children, Charlotte, James, and Hamish of Savannah, Georgia; his grandfather and lifelong friend, Daniel Green Shawhan, of Blacksburg, Virginia; and a large and loving group of aunts, uncles, cousins, coaches, players and friends.

Ben is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Hazel Spencer Pinkerton and Captain Richard Pinkerton of Prince Frederick, Maryland, and his maternal grandmother, Jessie Lee Austin Shawhan of Blacksburg, Virginia.

A memorial service will be held for Ben in Blacksburg, Virginia on May 9th at 10 AM at Blacksburg High School. In lieu of flowers, Ben's family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice or to the Ben Pinkerton Memorial Fund by sending a check to the Town Bank in Madison (10 West Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703). Additional information about Ben's courageous battle with colorectal cancer can be found at Pinkertonsjourney.blogspot.com. Post Nubila Sol.

Cress Center
6021 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53705