“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” — Muhammad Ali
Benjamin Bycel, a.k.a. “Grandpa B,” passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026 in a room filled with sunlight, family, and lots of laughter.
Ben is survived by his loving partner Laurie Zalk; children Josh Bycel and Sarah Wachs; daughter-in-law Megan Bycel; son-in-law Keely Wachs; brother Rabbi Lee Bycel; sister-in-law Judy Bycel; grandsons Eli, Zach, Charlie and Max; and his beloved dog Sulei.
He was the son of Harry and Claire Bycel of Huntington Park, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
In his heyday, Ben was a larger than life figure with a passion for defending those who couldn’t defend themselves; an amazing and accomplished writer; a lover of movies and books; a survivor who could pick himself off the mat of life and bounce back bigger and better; a teacher and mentor who was there to lend a supportive ear or drop a piece of advice that could be life-changing.
His legacy can be seen in those who carry on his love of family, his passion for sports, his wicked sense of humor, and a lifelong commitment to make things right in this world.
Ben was the best man I knew.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Ben came of age in Huntington Park, just east of downtown Los Angeles, spending his childhood running around the halls of the Olympic Auditorium, watching his dad manage his fleet of not-so-successful boxers.
He ran track and played basketball at Huntington Park High School before spending four years at San Jose State University, graduating in 1964.
It was at San Jose State where Ben met his first wife Kathy Marden. After receiving his master’s in history from SJSU, he and Kathy embarked on the journey of a lifetime, joining the Peace Corps in Uganda.
After returning from Africa, Ben worked as a teacher in Los Angeles, spent time at the University of Wisconsin (which would start his lifelong love affair with the Badgers), was a reporter for the Associated Press in New York, and eventually attended law school at UC Davis.
While still in law school, he worked closely on San Francisco Mayor George Moscone’s campaign for governor of California.
After graduating, Ben worked for the ACLU in Sacramento. He made his way to Santa Barbara where he ran the Santa Barbara and Ventura schools of law. This is where he eventually planted his feet becoming an engaged member of the community.
Ben would eventually move back to Los Angeles, where he became the first executive Ddirector of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission and president of the University of West LA.
From there, he moved to Washington, D.C., serving as the vice president of Common Cause; then to beautiful Lake Elmore, Vermont, where his beloved lab Ali came into his life; and lastly, Hartford, Connecticut, where he was the executive director of the Connecticut Office of State Ethics.
Ben found his way back to the sunny skies, majestic mountains, and stunning beaches of his beloved Santa Barbara. As he settled into retirement, he spent his days walking on the path at Shoreline Park with Laurie and Sulei; yelling at MSNBC on the TV; watching the Badgers and British murder shows; eating at his favorite restaurants; and stalking the aisles at Trader Joe’s for bonbons.
Ben’s hero was the humanitarian and boxer, Muhammad Ali. His walls were adorned with photographs of Ali in action and quotations that served as a daily reminder of the values Ben admired and aspired to live by.
Ben will be missed by all who loved him, those who worked with him, and so many who met him along the way. May his memory be a blessing.
There will be a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Palm Park Beach House in Santa Barbara. All are welcome to celebrate Ben’s life, share memories, and honor his legacy.
If you would like to be invited, please email Sarah at sarahwachs@gmail.com.