Page 15 - 2020 Symposium Catalog

Captain Benjamin H. Troemel, U.S.N.
The Benjamin Award was established in 2009 by Jean Troemel in memory of her husband, Captain Benjamin H.
Troemel U.S.N. who was born June 10, 1915 and who died at the age of 93 on September 29, 2008. Troemel was the
first New York merchant marine graduate to reach Naval
avocation aviator status. He was stationed on the famous ship Enterprise, "The Big E", during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He retired from the service as a captain in 1959 and then moved with his wife and son to Winter Haven, Florida.
Ben's first wife, Alice, commissioned Jean to paint his portrait and said at the time, referring to Jean's painting,
"Be sure you do a good job, as someday you might live
with it!" That comment did come true; Alice died several years later and Ben and Jean eventually married. At one time Ben took art lessons from Jean but he gave her all his art supplies when they were married. Ben attended many of
Florida Artists Group symposiums and was an enthusiastic patron of the arts.
He and Jean traveled the world over and had many adventures. St. Augustine was their home base where Ben was a partner in
a travel agency and Jean ran the Professional Artists of
St. Augustine Gallery. Ben and Jean were married for 43 years. Jean Troemel was born May 4th, 1921. She was invited to join Florida Artists Group by Helen Sawyer in 1954. She continues to work with her paintings and is an active member of the Florida Artists Group.
Benjamin Award
Area IV
oil on canvas 42xl 8
Stephen Schatz
Christina