Benjamin David John Brinkman

Benjamin Brinkman of Palos Verdes Estates passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 24, 2016. He was taken from us way too soon. Ben attended Vista Grande Elementary School and Palos Verdes High School. He earned his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering and was greatly respected for his work for the California Public Utilities Commission.

Ben had a gentle, sensitive soul and a big heart. He was gifted and multi-talented; outrageously funny, extremely intelligent, creative, musical, a remarkable writer and poet, and a skilled mathematician and engineer. Ben was generous and giving in a quiet way, volunteering behind the scenes at Meals on Wheels, tutoring an expansive list of nieces and nephews, and caring for his mother after his father passed away.

The highlight of his life was his marriage to Maria "Charo" Brinkman who brought him so much happiness and whom he adored. He is preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Joan Brinkman of Rancho Palos Verdes. Ben leaves behind his wife, Maria, and beloved stepson Antonio of Palos Verdes Estates; dear friend Tyler Pedersen of Long Beach; sisters Becky (Sean) Conlon of San Pedro, Bobbie (Glenn) Rueger of Torrance, and Rachel (Russell) Turner of Australia; brother Bernie (Chika) Brinkman of Australia and many nieces and nephews whom he also loved.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 515 West Opp Street in Wilmington, CA on Tuesday October 4, 2016 at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. Visitation and Rosary will be held Monday October 3, 2016 fro 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Rice Mortuary in Torrance.