A Tribute From His Wife
Eleanor GirtenHis wife of fifty-four years
We made it to forever.
My Dearest Love,
Fifty-one years together feels both like a lifetime and not nearly enough. We built a life side by side through every joy, every hardship, every victory, and every storm that came our way. We had our ups and downs, but through it all, we never stopped choosing each other. That kind of love is rare, and I will treasure it for the rest of my life.
You were my home, my comfort, my strength, and my best friend. Together we created memories that time can never erase — the laughter we shared, the struggles we survived, the quiet moments only we understood. We grew together through the years, and every chapter of my life carries your fingerprints on it.
Losing you has left an emptiness words cannot fully describe, but even in this pain, I feel grateful for the love we shared for over five decades. Not everyone gets to experience a bond like ours. You taught me what loyalty, perseverance, and unconditional love truly mean.
I promise you this: your legacy will live on. I will carry your name, your values, your stories, and your love with me every single day. The life you built, the people you touched, and the love you gave will never be forgotten. As long as I am here, a part of you will remain here too.
Though I can no longer hold your hand, I hold you forever in my heart. Thank you for loving me through all the years, for standing beside me through every season of life, and for giving me a love that death itself cannot erase.
Until we meet again,All my love, always.
A Tribute From His Brother
David GirtenHis brother and best friend
My family, my brother, my best friend.
Ben and I had a ten-year age difference, which may not be apparent now that we are older, but during our childhood, that decade felt like an eternity. When Ben embarked on his life’s journey at the tender age of seventeen, I was merely a seven-year-old child, resulting in limited opportunities for us to bond during our formative years. He was out exploring the world and building a life for himself, while I was just a carefree kid running in the streets.
However, when I turned eighteen and made my first trip to California to visit my brother, we more than compensated for the years we had spent apart. We shared countless adventures, explorations, travels, and fully embraced life — whether we were skiing down the highest mountains, leaping off the tallest cliffs, hiking through the deepest canyons, or racing along roads and rivers. We ensured that not only did we savor life to the fullest, but we also included our family in our experiences, and what an exhilarating journey it was.
I will genuinely miss my best friend, from our heartfelt conversations to reminiscing about the memories we created or discussing our next trip or adventure that we hadn’t yet taken. In one of our final conversations, my brother conveyed how proud he was of me, and at that moment, I don’t believe he realized how significant it was for me to hear those words from him. One of my few regrets is not being certain if he understood the profound influence he had on my life and how crucial he was in my transformation into a man.
Ben will be deeply missed by the many lives he touched, and while there are numerous individuals who will remember him, there are also countless memories of joyful times spent with family and friends. I believe it is these beautiful memories he created for so many that will sustain me. I will forever miss you, my brother, my best friend.
David
A Tribute From His Daughter
Sonya GirtenHis daughter
Dad,
I’m not sure how to move on without you. Some days I feel completely lost, like I’m trying to learn how to live in a world that no longer feels the same without you in it. I miss our talks, your advice, your laugh, and just knowing you were always there. The emptiness you left behind is something words can barely explain.
But through all of this sadness, one thing brings me comfort — I’m so grateful you got to meet the man I chose to love. That means more to me than I can ever put into words. You saw the life I was building, and you knew the person who would stand beside me. Somehow that gives me peace, because your opinion mattered to me more than almost anyone’s.
I think part of why this hurts so deeply is because our bond was so special. You weren’t just my dad — you were a part of who I am. Everything you taught me, every lesson, every bit of love and strength you gave me, still lives inside me. Even now, when I feel unsure, I find myself hearing your voice guiding me.
Looking back through your photos reminds me how beautifully you lived. Free, loving, genuine, and unforgettable. You touched so many people, and I hope you knew just how loved and admired you truly were. I know I’ll spend the rest of my life proud to be your daughter.
I wish I could hug you one more time and tell you how grateful I am for every moment we had. I miss you beyond measure, Dad. But I will carry you with me in everything I do.
Forever your Daddy’s girl.
A Tribute From His Granddaughter
Asia GirtenHis granddaughter — “Pumpkin”
Dear Grandpa,
Living in this world without you is something I’ve never had to do before. You have been a constant in my life, and I was not ready to lose you. You have made such a major impact on my life and who I am as a person. You were more than just my grandpa — you were a father figure to me, although it wasn’t your duty to be.
I wish that my kids had more time with you, but I cherish the time that they did get, and I’ll always keep the memory of their paw-paw alive for them. You were so excited about having a great-grandson; you were so close to meeting him, Grandpa. I know you held him up there in heaven before you sent him down to us. He has brought us all so much happiness during our time of grief. He even has your middle name. I will make sure to tell him all about his great-grandpa and all of the memories we made with you.
Your legacy will live on. I miss seeing your face every time I walk in the door. I will miss having you over to watch the game. I will miss having you make gumbo every year. I miss your jokes. I miss you, so much. You always told me how proud you are of me, and I will work hard to continue making you proud.
It is an honor to be your granddaughter, and I will cherish our bond forever. Watch over us and continue to guide us. You will forever be in my heart.
Love,Asia aka Pumpkin