Sept. 19, 1937—Sept. 30, 2009

Benjamin R. Munson, Ph. D., a longtime research scientist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and a university instructor known for mentoring young scientists, died Wednesday in Erie County Medical Center after suffering complications of kidney cancer. He was 72.

Before his retirement in 1998, his research focused on cell mechanisms and cell death. He also coordinated Roswell Park’s distinguished lecture series.

He taught courses in human biology, nutrition and genetics at Niagara University, Canisius College and Erie Community College, as recently as the past summer session.

“In a business where strong egos and difficult people are the norm, Ben was the most unselfish and caring scientist,” said Alan Leonard, a Florida Institute of Technology professor who was Dr. Munson’s first doctoral student.

Nancy Munson-Ellis, a Buffalo Public Schools teacher, described her father as energetic, enthusiastic, driven to succeed and eager to impart that drive to the young people he mentored.

“He had an incredible mind, and he loved to educate,” she said. “If you wanted to know anything about anything, he would know or could find out.”

Born in North Tonawanda, Dr. Munson graduated from North Collins High School in 1956. He graduated from Houghton College in 1960 and earned his Ph. D. in biochemical pharmacology from the University at Buffalo in 1968.

He was married to the former Carol Gregg from 1963 until a stroke caused her death in 1997. They were stalwarts of the Parkside Community Association and Central Presbyterian Church, where both sang in the choir.

A devoted father and grandfather, he helped his daughter set up her classroom each fall and regularly cared for her 2-year-old son, Benjamin. He drove all night to surprise his son—Dr. Benjamin R. Munson Jr., now a professor at the University of Minnesota—who, in 2000, was defending his dissertation at Ohio State University.

He and his second wife, Jane Jacobson, were outdoors enthusiasts and world travelers, who in recent years visited Turkey, Israel, Ireland, Jordan and the Amazon.

Dr. Munson also is survived by seven sisters, Irene Johnson, Esther Mae Tripp, Marie Gleazon, Rhea Markello, Grace Markello, Beulah Jean Wing and June Markello, and three brothers, Dr. Albert, Dr. Richard and Dr. Paul.

A memorial service will be at 6 p. m. Sunday in University Presbyterian Church, 3334 Main St.