Throw for Dough

Hi Pretty Pie,

Last weekend GVSU held the most beautiful memorial in your honor and they hosted an unveiling of your name in the memorial garden. It is so unbelievable to think, that you, Benjamin Ross Mutnick had such a profound impact on so many people. What you did, and who you were transcended state lines and country borders....it is astounding. The memorial wall reads, Benjamin Mutnick, "Awesome Prof", and damn it you were. You should be so proud. However beautiful the ceremony was, it was a harsh realization that you are gone. Gone forever from human form.

I was surrounded by loving family and friends, but I still longed for you. I am enclosing some of the words and stories shared during the service. Two student wrote...."Looking back on our first day of class with Professor Mutnick, we saw a joyful, young dedicated professor, despite his unknown suffering. As time passed by we watched his health deteriorate yet his demeanor remained consistent with what we noticed the first day of class. Professor Mutnick was always positive, patient, humorous, and above all determined to help his students succeed. Though his time was short at GVSU, Professor Mutnick's life impacted the way we view life and the hardships that come our way. His endurance will undoubtedly have a lasting impression on all of those who had the joy and honor of knowing him. The girls then went on to share a poem. A poem that so fittingly describes our circumstance......


God looked around His garden
And He found an empty place
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your precious face

He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest;
God' s Garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain
He knew you' d never ever
Get well on earth again.

So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered " Peace be thine "
Then He took you up to Heaven
With Hands so gentle and kind.

It broke our hearts to lose you
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God welcomed you home.

Your boss Paul, went on to share that even though he didn't have a ton a time to get to know you, you forever left an impression. He was impressed with your dedication to the students, and your ability to infuse humor with academic strives. He also mentioned your love for sweets, and how much your eyes lit up when he brought you English Candy Bars. The Yorkie Bar wrapper read....not for girls, and trust me, you didn't share! I think Paul, knows you better than he thinks, since the quickest way to your heart was through your stomach.


I'll never forget the first time I came to visit you in Lasing. I brought you the biggest tub of homemade cookies, and by the end of the weekend they were gone. That, coupled with the Arcadia Bluff Golf Round sealed the deal for me. I knew, in the end, I would get a ring. I would wager to say you loved golf, and sweets more than me....just kidding......I can hear you now saying, "L, I love you the most, but I love you the most making cookies...haha".

Scott and Rob also spoke. Rob mentioned that you brought light to a dark and cramped office, and that he was lucky to know you. And Scott told the story of how upset you were, when they told you they were going to lighten your class load next semester. I'll never forget that day. You were so upset because you thought people thought you were weak. I had to make you understand that they didn't think you were weak, but brave, and that they were just trying to help. It was meant to be something wonderful, and you thought it was an insult....in true Ben form. You were so stubborn! Man did you give me a run for the money!

And of course I'll never forget the day I had to tell Paul that you would not be returning to GVSU. Paul didn't entirely understand what I was saying because he said "So when exactly will Ben be returning", and I replied "never". Never! What a thing to say right? This was definitely something very unexpected to your entire department.

However to honor you, Paul and the HTM Department started a scholarship in your honor. It is something that we will always have. Following the memorial, GVSU hosted a fund raising event at the Griffins game. The funds collected will be used in a annual scholarship....The Benjamin Mutnick Mettle Memorial Scholarship...say that 5 times fast. You were someone....you are somebody that has left a true imprint. Smile Big BMuttz...Smile Big.