Chicago American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) chapter President and Navy veteran Ben Diseroad died suddenly in his Chicago home on May 19. He was 44.
Diseroad was born Sept. 3, 1980, in Beech Grove, Indiana and raised in Martinsville, Indiana. He graduated as a valedictorian from Martinsville High School in 1999 and received his BA degree in Economics summa cum laude from Northwestern University in 2003.
From September 2006 to May 2012 Diseroad was a US Navy sailor; he served in the Pacific fleet as a submariner and in Afghanistan. He earned a Dolphins medal and was honorably discharged.
Diseroad was also a JP Morgan Chase loan processor from August 2012 to May 2014, and then moved onto GE Capital where he worked as a portfolio analyst from May 2014 to June 2017.
He joined the LGBTQ veteran’s organization AVER in September 2022 and served as trustee. This past September he was elected as the Chicago chapter president.
An avid reader, Diseroad also enjoyed the book club where he was a member. He also wrote poems and an unpublished novel. Diseroad loved art, history, collecting vinyl records, coffee shops, long walks to relax and unwind, traveling, treasured family vacations and other shared time with his family. He also volunteered in soup kitchens, food pantries and thrift stores in Chicago, and played in recreational soccer and tennis leagues.
Diseroad was preceded in death by his grandmothers Joann Diseroad and Patty Myers; grandparents Bill and Sue Myers; great grandmother Lucille Moreland; and great-grandparents Bob and Louise Mathews. He is also survived by his parents Benjamin Alan and Teresa “Terri” (Myers) Diseroad; sister Brittney Diseroad; and several extended family members and friends.
AVER Chicago Chapter First Vice President and Treasurer Larry Simpson said, “I am very sad to learn of Ben’s death. Ben was a man of few words, so it was a little hard for me to really get to know him. He was always very polite. We were very appreciative that he accepted the position and served as Chicago Chapter President for AVER.”
Diseroad’s gravesite service with military honors took place on May 27 at New South Park Cemetery in Martinsville, Indiana.
A Chicago memorial for Diseroad will take place Thursday, June 5 at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., at 7 p.m. For those who cannot be in attendance, visit the AVER Chicago website and click on the blue word “Zoom” to view the ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent online to AVER Chicago or via a check to AVER Chicago, PO Box 29317, Chicago, IL 60629.