The Story
Tribe Loses Gutenberg, Freshman
Memorial held for Gutenberg in Wren Chapel. Courtesy of Stephen Salpukas.
Ben Gutenberg, a freshman at the College, passed away Tuesday afternoon at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. Gutenberg was injured on Nov. 10 in a car accident on Interstate 64 near Richmond. The same accident caused the death of Tribe fencing Coach Pete Conomikes and the injuries of two other students.
The fencing team had been traveling to Pennsylvania for a competition when the car ran off of the road. A memorial service for Conomikes - fencing instructor at the College for 35 years --- was held in the University Center on Nov. 16.
Freshman Matt Peppe was treated and released from the hospital the day of the accident, and Spencer Butts, also a freshman, was also hospitalized and later released.
Gutenberg had been in critical condition since the accident. His family notified the College Tuesday afternoon about their loss. President Gene Nichol then emailed the student body with the news.
“It is literally impossible to describe how heartbreaking this news is for Ben’s parents, for his teammates, for those who treasured his friendship on the campus and beyond,” said Nichol. “Their grief, and ours, is past bearing.”
Nichol emphasized that students could use the Counseling Center and that the Wren chapel would be available all day Wednesday. A memorial service will be held later this week.
“As our fencers have taught in recent days, the College, at its core, embodies a defining commitment to one another. We’ll call on that powerfully in the days and weeks ahead,” said Nichol.
A Facebook group, “Pray for Ben Gutenberg,” was started by another freshman at the College and has over 400 members. The message wall there is filled with condolences for the mourning family.