As you know, Ben Raemers passed away earlier this year from suicide. He is and will continue to be missed by everyone who had the chance to meet him, befriend him, or enjoy his skating.
Our close friend Richard Quintero did a good amount of traveling with Ben, and we went on a few trips with him as well, but we only got to experience a glimpse of what he gave the world. Our hearts go out to his friends, family, and anyone whose life he touched.
We felt like we needed to put together something to convey, even in a small way, what it was like to spend time with Ben and enjoy the liveliness he brought with him everywhere. So Richard dug through all his files to find every single thing he’d ever filmed with Ben and create this film in his memory.
Personality can be hard to capture on camera, but Ben’s oozed out of him naturally. He didn’t put on an act to be this fun and funny. It’s just how he was around everybody. As much as you’d want to skate with him, you’d also want to hit the town with him until dawn and keep the good energy going.
Skate with your friends. Talk to your friends. Most of all, tell them you love them. Thank you for always being yourself, Ben. We miss you.
From Lee Berman (CONS TM):
“Ben was like the puppy dog that shit on the rug and you’d try to be mad but end up giving him a treat. He was all-terrain in every sense and went for broke. It was amazing to watch him work his way into trying something. He’d have the whole van laughing by just being himself. He came from from nothing, saw everything, and even though his life was short, he lived three lives in one.”
( If you can contribute, there’s a donation campaign to raise money for charity in Ben’s name.
And if you feel like you need help or just want to talk with someone, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free, confidential crisis counseling 24/7/365. They’re available by phone [1-800-273-8255] or online. )
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June 25, 2019 10:03 am
RIP to a rad skateboarder. I read through the suicide letters I wrote to my best friends and family yesterday. They were written in 2013. It was heartbreaking, but it reminded me of how important my friends and family are to me.
Extend your hand to those that need it. Tell those you love that you love them. Get help when you need it and don’t be embarrassed. Life is so fragile and is gone like the flicker of the flame. Much love to the skateboarding community.