Benjamin McKenzie
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colgate dad- Autumn McKenzie ‘97
This is my dad, Benjamin McKenzie. He is a smart, handsome, and tall man. You have heard me talk about my mom. My mom was the outspoken one and it is easy to give her credit for most but that would be inaccurate.
My dad is a rather quiet guy. No doubt he does a lot of listening. I imagine he adopted this trait being the father of four girls and two boys. Or perhaps he has always been as the youngest of ten children and that is how he won my mom over. Additionally, he is a deep thinker.
I was the youngest for a little bit
I owe many things to my parents as a unit and my dad in particular. I believe that God is intentional. I was born to the right couple at the time. We were in church on Wednesdays and Sundays and my parents made it clear where they placed their priorities for this alone I am eternally grateful.
They afforded me many opportunities. I look back on my childhood with great fondness. I had them running all over the place. Soccer, volleyball, dance, swim, track and field, camps, clubs, mission work… The list goes on and on and I was one of six. This appreciation continues to increase with time, specifically related to my children getting older and the increasing effort that is needed to keep up and stay grounded with four children.
I was now squarely in the middle
My imperfections keep me humble. I am confident that he made the absolute best decisions he could have at any given time with the knowledge he had access to in that moment. I hope my children give me the same honor and it starts with me giving my parents grace.
My favorite memories of my father include adventures on our farm in Windsor, NY where we took a small hiatus from “city” living in Vestal. We milked our wayward cow. We often received phone calls from neighbors that they saw or had our cow. Our goats had kids and I loved them so, but I was not a fan of the turds everywhere. We planted flowers and stuff. We went fishing in our pond. This spurred my love of nature and gardening.
assateague island
four of eight grandchildren
We, also, did quite a bit of traveling state side from Niagara Falls to Assateague Island, VA and Fort Myers, Fl. This spurred my love for travel and water.
niagara falls
His mother is Rosa Mae and his father is John Paul. His mother passed when he was five years old. My grandfather passed when my dad was a young married adult with three children. I was two. My dad is the youngest of four girls and six boys.
My dad graduated from Binghamton University, became an accountant for IBM, and accepted a position in Upstate New York hours away from the rest of his family in Westchester County, NY. This afforded my mom the ability to stay at home and be present. My father gave me the gift of my mom's presence. Additionally, I love where I grew up. I had a very unique childhood experience and I am grateful for it.
six children
My father’s life has been punctuated with deep lows. Four of his siblings had passed by the time I was eleven. As a young girl, I saw the toll that loss and grief has had on him. It impacted me deeply, too. When IBM offered an early retirement, my father opted in.
In his retired life, he spent a lot of time on golf courses. He also traveled to support his children and student- athletes. My older sister ran track at Pitt, my older brother ran track with West Point, and I played Volleyball at Colgate. My parents were always on the sidelines. Their unwavering support was immeasurable.
Most recently, my Aunt Ann passed last summer. She was his last sibling. Since his wife (my mom) passed away in 2020, he has lost two brothers, a sister, and a son.
benjamin mckenzie
My dad has been through some stuff. I have seen many cave under less. His resilience is beyond admirable, it is the stuff heroes and champions are made of.
On Father’s day we went out for brunch with my dad after church as a small token of my gratitude. We like to give love and words of encouragement on birthdays and special occasions. It is the sort of thing that my mom did. I thanked him for all that he has done for me and more importantly for what he has done for me without me knowing or fully understanding. I am so grateful for his love, sacrifice, and fortitude. I love my dad. What a man!
“Children are a heritage from the Lord,
off spring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.”
This is my dad, Benjamin McKenzie. He is a handsome tall man. More often than not, you hear me talk about my mom. My mom was the outspoken one and it is easy to give her credit for most but that would be inaccurate.