Benjamin Kent Pocock

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body. When I die, I want to skid into the grave sideways, body used up, worn out, screaming, 'WOOO! WHAT A RIDE!'” 

Benjamin Kent Pocock, who lived a wonderful and adventurous life, died at age 84. He left this life at peace, surrounded by his loving family, on December 25, 2024, in South Jordan, Utah. Benjamin Kent Pocock, was born March 20, 1940, to Don Henry Pocock and Agnes Leona Stewart Pocock, in Tooele, Utah. He was one of six children, and had many stories of a happy childhood on the farm. His family moved to Ontario, California, when he was 16, where he played a lot of basketball and participated in choir and scouting. He earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1956. He graduated from Chaffey High School in 1958. He continued his education at Cal Poly in Pomona, Chaffey College, and Berkley. During that time, he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Chatt. They were married in Sparks, Nevada, August 11, 1962. Together they loved and nurtured 4 children. They settled down to raise their family in Tooele and then Taylorsville, Utah. Ben and Mary shared 41 years together until she passed away in 2003. 

Ben had a long and successful career in Solids Liquids Separation Engineering, where he did test-work, process consulting, and plant audits. His long career included Materials Engineer for the US Navy; Hydrometallurgist for Kennecott; Manager for Technical Services and later, Process Consultant and Sales Engineer for Eimco Process Equipment; Western Sales Manager for Enviro-Clear. He had a keen mind for problem-solving, and in 1976, made a patent for vacuum filtration. In 1983, he started his own successful company, Pocock Industrial. He was viewed as an expert in his field, worldwide. In this capacity, he had the opportunity to travel to almost every continent for work and speaking engagements. On his travels he met life-long friends. He loved travelling and often took his wife along on these adventures. He was a proud member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, a life-long Democrat, and a strong supporter of Labor Unions. 

Ben had many hobbies and talents. He was quite good at brewing beer in the lab at Pocock Industrial and brewed gallons of it, in a variety of flavors, for Amy and Michael’s wedding. He was also a gifted bread baker. His children remember him baking sourdough bread every week, with dollar-sized pancakes on the weekends. In retirement, he picked it up again, making beautiful, artisan loaves. 

Having fun was important to Dad, and he shared that love with many people. He loved riding horses when he was younger and riding ATVs as he got older. He loved being outdoors fishing, or hunting, or just having a few drinks around the fire. We made a lot of good family memories snow skiing in the winter and boating in the summer. He also loved river trips. One of the highlights was a family adventure down the Colorado River, all the way through the Grand Canyon in 2017. After retiring, he moved to Hanna, Utah, for the summers, and Mesquite, Nevada, for the winters. He met wonderful people who loved him and all the fun he brought. In Hanna, at age 75, he planned and built a magnificent “tree-house” that sleeps six, for the grandkids. Music was always playing in the background of our lives. He loved everything from country to jazz. Every party included singing and dancing. He was a good dancer, and loved to try and trip up his partner with his fancy footwork. 

Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Chatt Pocock, his parents, 4 of his siblings, Don Jay Pocock, Velma Pocock Mabey, Jerry Stewart Pocock, and Norman Karl Pocock, and many good friends and dogs. He is survived by his sister, Janice Leona Gilman Johnson; children Lorraine

Pocock Erskine (Jerry), Jason Scott Pocock (Becky Burney), Amy Pocock Valdez (Michael), and Cari Pocock VandeVeeGaete (David); his grandchildren Joshua James Erskine, Danielle Nicole Erskine Hooley (Jeremy), Aspen Camile Erskine Blake (Riley), Samantha Nicole Pocock, Christopher Scott Pocock, Emily Christine Valdez, Katie Marie Valdez, Benjamin Call VandeVeegaete, Abigail Hope VandeVeegaete, and Macy Jane VandeVeegaete; and his great-grandchildren Paisley June Pocock and Beckham and Bailey Blake; as well as many good friends, in-laws, and dogs. 

There will be an open-house celebration to honor Ben’s life at TF Brewing in Salt Lake City (must be 21 and have valid ID) on January 18, 2025, from 1-4 pm. Please come share your memories of him, and have a toast to his incredible legacy. There will also be a celebration at his home in Hanna on June 28, 2025 (all ages), details to come. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity in his name. Thank you to everyone who loved our dad, and made his life better because you were in it. He loved you back, probably more than you knew.