Benjamin Cam Rich, “Coach”, 89, of Newport News, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025. He was born on January 2, 1936, in Norfolk to the late Ople and Edna Rich. His college career started at Chowan College, where he was honored to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. He continued at Guilford College and completed his master’s at the College of William and Mary.
In his career as an educator, he coached at Smithfield, Warwick, and Kecoughtan High Schools. He cherished the many students whose lives he touched over the years.
Coach was a long-time member of Temple Baptist Church and served in many capacities there. He was on the Board of Directors at the Peninsula Rescue Mission, and his favorite ministry was providing food for the less fortunate.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Rich, and their son, Cam Rich. Coach leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Alice; daughter, Cara; stepsons, Derrick Phillips (Melissa) and Aaron Phillips (Erica); his treasured grandchildren, Kaylin, Brittany, Gregory, Kaylee, Madisen, Jordan, Isabelle, and Trace; and great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Benjamin, and Charlie.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 12, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Temple Baptist Church. The funeral services will be conducted on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park.
Though Coach is no longer with us, his legacy of love and kindness will remain in our hearts forever and continues through the strength he demonstrated, the lives he touched, and the cherished memories held by those who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Peninsula Rescue Mission, 3700 Huntington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607 (https://prm.info/donate-now) or Temple Baptist Church, 235 Harpersville Road, Newport News, Virginia 23601 (https://www.templechurch.net).
Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.
24 Comments
Ben was very comforting to me when I lost my husband and son. God be with his family.
An unforgettable gentleman. Our prayers and deepest condolences to his family.
Coach is an unforgettable gentleman. Our prayers and deepest condolences to the family.
Prayers for family at the loss of one so Special. May God comfort and strengthen you with wonderful memories of the life you so lovingly shared. A friend Frankie Fritschle.
Coach Rich was a remarkable person with his guidance, and a great human being. Thanks for your guidance. Tommy Jones Smithfield high 1970 grad.
Coach Rich had an immeasurable impact on my Life in Football, Track and Field and life.He helped me be better athlete and a better person. Godspeed Coach.
Coach Rich was a ‘True” friend who lived 3 doors down from me in Smithfield on Sykes Court. I had the good fortune of meeting Ben and Dot within days ao their move to Smithfield. I played Center and Right Tackle on the Smithfield Packers Football team until I graduated in 1964. Coach Rich was a very good coach and we boys had very good winning seasons in his coaching years. I moved back to Newport News after graduating from Graduate School and caught up with Coach a number of times while shopping in Newport News. I knew from the beginning of our friendship that Coach was a very good teacher and strong Christian man. I wanted to make him proud of me when I was on one of his teams. Coach Rich was a very good role model for the young boys growing up in Smithfield, VA
Ben was a loving, gentle man always ready with a hug. Alice and family he will be very missed. You all are in my prayers! ❤️🙏❤️
Ben visited often with my Dad while he was in Hospice Alice and family prayers of comfort during this time. 🫂 ❤
Such a good man. Such a good, good man.
Cara and family
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
RIP Coach. I recall Coach not only tried to teach us to be better players but also build habits and character that we would need later in life. To give that 110% in all that we did.
Coach was a great man. I always enjoyed my interactions with him growing up and into adulthood. He was a mentor to everyone that came into contact with him. Mike, Dawson and I are sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers and comfort to the family in the coming days and weeks ahead.
Everyone at Smithfield High School loved Coach Rich. He was a special man.
I worked with Coach Rich for many years in the Hampton School System. I will always remember him as a very kind and caring man. In times of need he was always there.
Ben will be dearly missed by our family. He was a wonderful man. He and Alice have always been like family. We will never plant another tomato without thinking about him! He has gone on to his Heavenly home that he so deserves. I hope Daddy met him at the Gate! God bless the entire family.
Coach Rich was the best coach and man I had the privilege of meeting teaching me about life and football. He was hard but taught us that life was tough. He taught us about football being learning plays and each man doing his job and working as a team. I will miss him greatly but I will always remember all the great times. I wish the best to Alice and his entire family.
Remembering the Deer Park days many years ago! Remembering Ben and the impact he had on all of us involved in DPLL.
Alice, we’re sending love to you and the family. You are all in our prayers
I am so happy that you are getting to see your heavenly home! I will always remember you as my dear friend, and I am blessed even more to have shared times that meant so much to me. I will miss you lots. We are not sad for you leaving us, we are celebrating what we long for, and that’s to go be with our Lord. Just what you had prepared to do. Thank you for all that you did with the Rescue Mission. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed by you. I know that up in heaven, you are not supposed to cry but I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes. As Jesus took your hand, you stood before the Lord. He said, “My child, look around you; great is your reward.” Love you, Ben and Alice, you mean the world to me. Rachel Pittman
Proverbs 27:9 says that “Oil and incense makes the heart glad, and the sweetness of friends comes from their advice.” (CEB). As long as we’ve known Ben, we can say that he personified that kind of friend. His counsel and advice were always filled with kindness, love and the wisdom from his walk with the LORD. We will miss the sweetness of his friendship acutely. Alice and Cara, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please call on us if you need anything!
What do you say about a man that lived his life as a roll model for so many kids, as a Christian example to his family and friends, as a loving husband, father, grandfather…….overall a man that everyone was proud to call friend and “Coach”? Everyone that knew him will have something good to say. He has left so many memories and life lessons with all of us. Alice, Cara and family, thank you for sharing Coach with all of us. Coach was and will always be such a good inspiration.
Debbie, Smithfield High, Class of ‘66
Bill, Friend for over 50 years
Coach Rich was instrumental in me choosing to become a coach. He taught me the human side of coaching. He gave me my first coaching job in a high school. Over the several years, he stayed a true mentor and friend. Prayers for Alice, Cam and the entire family. In his heavenly home, he is coaching , mentoring, loving, and always being there to help. Rest in peace my friend.
Ben was an awesome mentor and coach in Hampton!
Coach Rich I will never forget you. You were so kind but stood firm. When I went to Kecoughtan High you were Head Football Coach & The Dean of Boys, you had my back when I was working at Shipyard & going to school. My Ruth had the pleasure of meeting you at The Piccadilly Resturant, she fell in love with you. We would look for you everything we ate there on Sunday. There you set with your loving family. We thank God for the time we had with you having a quick conversation, a hug or a pat on the shoulder. You made it you are home with Jesus. Our hearts are with your family & friends for each one of them feel such a big Void in their lives since you left us. RIP