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Benjamin Sacks, son of Morris and Dora Sacks, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 6, 1903. After high school, Benjamin attended the University of Pennsylvania for one year, transferred to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and headed west to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he received his Bachelor of Arts. He obtained his Master of Arts from McGill University in Canada in 1928 and a Ph.D degree from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Dr. Sacks served on the faculty of the University of New Mexico for three decades save for three years of service as a First Lieutentant in the United States Air Corps. He retired from the University of New Mexico as Professor Emeritus in 1963. In 1963 Benjamin was invited to join the faculty of Arizona State University in obtaining accreditation of a PH.D. program and that goal was achieved when he retired from Arizona State University as Professor Emeritus in 1973. He was a highly skilled athlete in both collegiate basketball and tennis. He was also a multi-sport coach. Benjamin was the point guard for the Lobos and was coached by Roy Johnson. His team from 1924-l926 lost only one conference game during that two year span. He was twice selected to the All-Far Southwest Conference Basketball Team as a first team guard. He became a legend as New Mexico's greatest handball player of the first half of the 20th century. From 1928-1960 Dr. Sacks dominated the sport in New Mexico and retired undefeated. Dr. Sacks was inducted into the University of New Mexico Hall of Honor in 1989. In his 80th year, in order to maintain his dexterity and social enjoyment he became an Intermediate level ballroom dancer. In his 100th year he was honored at Stanford University for his meticulous research in the are of British History. Some of his publications include: J Ramsay McDonald in Thought and Action (1952) The Religious Issue in the State Schools of England and Wales 1902-1914 (1961) South Africa: Imperial Dilemma 1902-1914 (1967) Peace Plans of the 17th and 18th Centuries (1963) J Ramsay MacDonald, the Monarchy and Republicanism (1953) Carson Mansion and Ingomar Theatre (1979 Articles published include: "The Duchess of Windsor and the Coronado Legend", Journal of San Diego History, Fall Part 1, Winter 1988, Part II. "Jefferson Davis: A Daughter's Vigil", Journal of Mississippi History, November 1989 "Varina Howell Davis: A Wife's Vigil", Journal of Mississippi History, May 1994 Hotel del Coronado: The Edison Legend", Southern California Quarterly, Summer 1993. "Charles Fletcher Loomis at Hotel del Coronado", The Spring Festival 1984, Southern California Quarterly, October 1996 "L Frank Baum: the Oz Man at the Hotel del Coronado", Southern California Quarterly, Fall 1998. "Jules Vernes: A Hotel del Coronado Vignette", Southern Calfironia Quarterly, Fall 2002. Dr. Sacks retired to San Diego in 1974 where he continued his love of the performing arts and classical music. He was a patron member of the San Diego Opera Series. As a professor of European History at UNM, his lecture of Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony" became a very sought after seat in the lecture halls and most often left many non history students standing in the aisles in order to hear this extraordinary presentation. He is survived by daughter, Elizabeth Hamilton Reitz (Matthew) of Chicago Illinois; son, Allan Sacks (Lynne) of La Quinta, California; and stepdaughter, Mary Fox of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Grandchildren, Nea (Mark) Brady of Murietta, California, Gregg (Julie) Sacks of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Krista (Randall) Wight of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada and Cody Reitz of Chicago, Illinois. Great-grandchildren, Teddy, Brittnee, Alec, Zachary, Kai, and Keegan. He is to be interned at Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, California. At Dr. Sacks request there will be no funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the scholarship fund honoring Dr. Sacks and supporting undergraduate students who study British, European, or African history. Please view UNM Foundation Web site at www.unm.edu/foundation to make an online donation: or make a check payable to the UNM College of Arts and Sciences. Please write Benjamin Sacks Fund in the memo line and send to UNM Foundation Inc. MSC07/4260, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M. 87131-0001.
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