By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Benjamin F. Price Jr. was an art and photography teacher at Seton High School in July 2001 when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Intense chemotherapy treatments meant he had to resign from the job that he loved - one that he had for 30 years.

Always easygoing and upbeat, he found inspiration in his struggle.

"He told me cancer was a miracle in his life," said his wife of 32 years, Elaine Price of Westwood. "It brought him closer to God, and through God, brought him closer to other people."

Mr. Price died Saturday at Hospice of Cincinnati at Mercy Franciscan Hospital in Westwood. He was 54.

"Ben was so far beyond what most of us can be as a teacher. ... He was a master. He knew each of his students so well that he could bring their art out of them. He brought out the best in his students and all of us," said Seton High School principal Susan Gibbons.

A 1966 graduate of Elder High School, Mr. Price continued his education at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, graduating in 1970. He also earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Cincinnati. A year later he heard through a friend that Seton needed an art teacher. He was hired a day before classes started.

The Westwood resident created many colorful - often humorous - works of art that adorn the walls of many homes and businesses. After his cancer diagnosis, he established an art scholarship and continued to produce artwork that brought revenue for the scholarship and the school.

But perhaps more permanent than these works of art are the impressions he left on his students. He preached the "Five Ps" - prior planning prevents poor performance - and his junior and senior advanced placement students almost always earned the highest scores.

"His (students' scores) were far beyond those of the other AP teachers," said Ms. Gibbons.

The apple motif was common in Mr. Price's artwork. He also had a fondness for Volkswagen Beetles - the kind of car he and his wife owned when they married in 1970.

He bought a bright yellow Beetle in 2001.

Mr. Price spent the last year and a half of his life producing art for his family and friends.

Other survivors include his daughter, Amy Price of Westwood; and two sisters, Annette Stafford of San Diego, Calif., and Debby Lauck of Westwood.

Visitation is from 4-9 p.m., today , at the Rebold, Rosenacker & Sexton Funeral Home, 3700 Glenmore Ave., Cheviot.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 5222 North Bend Road, Monfort Heights.

Memorials: Seton High School Art Scholarship Fund, Seton High School, 3901 Glenway Ave., Cincinnati, 45205.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com