Veteran lawyer, Elgin 'pillar' remembered for civic efforts
Lifelong Elgin resident Ben Rifken practiced all types of law: criminal, probate, divorce, real estate.
He also gave his time to more than 20 community institutions: St. Joseph Hospital, the Anti-Defamation League and the Elgin Community Chest, which later grew into today's United Way of Elgin, to name a few.
"He believed very much in tradition and supporting the community. He never said no when people asked him to head up a campaign," recalled Jeff Rifken, one of his five children. "He was very loyal to the town. In his prime, he was truly a pillar of the community."
Ben Rifken died Thursday at the age of 91.
He was born in 1916 in Elgin, graduated Elgin High School and the University of Illinois before earning a law degree.
Like many Americans, he volunteered to fight in World War II even though he just started practicing law.
Rifken, a lifelong member of Elgin's Congregation Knesehth Israel, also served as president of the Kane County Bar Association and Elgin Bar Association.
Out of all his local work, perhaps the one he supported most was raising money to help fund the initial construction for St. Joseph Hospital on the city's west side.
His son said his father strongly believed the city needed two good hospitals, one for each side of the river.
"Benjamin Rifken was a true friend and faithful supporter of Provena St. Joseph Hospital for many decades," said William Brown, the hospital's president and CEO. "He boldly spearheaded the effort to build a new St. Joseph Hospital, our current facility, to fulfill the growing health care needs of the west side of Elgin."
Van Richards, an Elgin attorney, first met Rifken in 1960 when he was head of an ethics committee with the Kane County Bar Association.
Through the years, they became good friends and Richards worked with and against Rifken, who also logged eight years as a Kane County prosecutor.
"He was a terrific guy, very ethical. He went out of his way to help and befriend young lawyers," Richards recalled. "He had a good sense of humor and I'll always remember his laugh. It made you feel good to be around him."
In addition to his numerous community and philanthropic efforts, Rifkin also encouraged his children to read, stay informed, play a musical instrument and root for the Chicago White Sox.
He carried on the tradition of taking his children and grandchildren to their first game, but not until they turned 4.
"It was very often you'd have three generations of Rifkins sitting in the seats," his son recalled.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Congregation Kneseth Israel, 330 Division St., Elgin.
Donations in Rifken's memory may be made to the Provena St. Joseph Hospital Foundation.