An In-plant Hero Takes His Leave

Ben Grey

The in-plant industry lost one of its most devoted and passionate advocates on Thanksgiving day when Ben Grey passed away at the age of 86. The former in-plant manager was a popular speaker at in-plant conferences in the 1970s and '80s, and shared his ideas and opinions for more than 20 years as a writer for In-plant Reproductions, which was later renamed In-plant Graphics.

After retiring from Chesapeake Public Schools in1988, after serving for 36 years as Graphics Coordinator and vocational instructor, Mr. Grey stayed active in the in-plant industry, most notably as a judge of the In-Print contest. He seemed deep in his element in this role, his eye to a loupe, talking glowingly about pieces that impressed him with their level of difficulty.

Dapper, friendly and always eager to talk about printing, he helped fellow managers whenever he could, both through personal advice and as a lecturer at countless In-Plant Management Association (IPMA) conferences. More than 200 of his "how-to" management articles were published in IPR in the '70s and '80s, and he also penned instruction manuals, books and articles for publications around the world.

"I think it is important to share knowledge if you have it," he told IPR in a 1989 interview. "That's part of the responsibility." It was a responsibility he took seriously, and managers remember him fondly for it.

"I had many opportunities to hear Ben talk at conferences and had many conversations with him," recalls Kevin Field, a former in-plant manager at the Association of American Medical Colleges and the City of Virginia Beach. "He was a icon to IPMA. He was very helpful to fellow members and to me personally. It is sad to hear this. He will be missed."

The late consultant Jack Klasnic once called him "the man who helped establish the in-plant industry." He wasn't far from the mark. Mr. Grey is credited with originating and teaching the nation's first adult education course about in-plant printing for Old Dominion University's School of Management. As a consultant for companies like A.B. Dick and Van Son Holland Ink, he made sure the benefits of in-plants were well understood.

Ben Grey receiving his Leader of the Year award from former IPR editor Denise Wallace  during the 1989 IPMA conference (then called COM 89).

The in-plant industry did not overlook his accomplishments. IPR named him its 1989 "Leader of the Year" for his devotion to the industry. (Read our 1989 article honoring him.) Two years earlier, IPMA honored him as an IPMA Fellow, one of only five to achieve this status at the time. He also received a Neographics award from the Graphic Arts Association and two Golden Keys from the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen, plus dozens of other industry awards over the years.

Born and raised on his family's farm in Ohio, where he honed his hunting skills as well as his impressive work ethic, Mr. Grey knew at an early age that farming wasn't for him. When he was just 11, he took a job as a "printer's devil" and launched his new life in printing. That life took a brief detour when he was drafted into the Navy to serve during the Korean war, but he managed to get himself assigned to head up printing operations on the U.S.S. Mississippi. In his floating in-plant he was reportedly the first man in history to use Multi 1250 and 40 presses on the open sea.

Four years after his military duties ended, Mr. Grey began his career at Chesapeake Public Schools' in-plant, where his staff comprised mostly vo-tech students. This gave him his first experience teaching the craft of printing to the next generation and sparked in him a lifelong interest in passing along his expertise to others.

Mr. Grey's last appearance at an in-plant event was when IPMA held its conference in Norfolk, Va., near his home, in 1998. After that he took his leave from in-plant circles, and focused his time on a new passion. He became a traveling DJ, visiting retirement communities to play music from his collection of jazz and big band songs, to the delight of many elderly residents.

Mr. Grey's impact on the in-plant industry was so great that even Klasnic dropped his notoriously gruff demeanor for a moment to praise his friend in a 1989 interview: "Ben is a pure, class act who has done more for the in-plant industry than anybody I know," he said. Coming from Jack Klasnic, this was indeed an honor.

Rest in peace, Ben.

(Read Ben Grey's Obituary from The Virginian Pilot.)