Bernard (Ben) Joseph Doherty, UMass Amherst alumnus and former trustee, died April 11 from COVID-19 complications at the age of 83.
Born in Boston, Doherty was the third of five children, to Anthony and Margaret Doherty of Donegal, Ireland. He leaves behind his son, Greg Doherty; his daughter, Kate Quigley; five grandchildren; his brothers Tony and John and their families; and a number of nieces and nephews whom he loved, along with their children. His son Glen, a former Navy SEAL, preceded him in death in 2012.
Accepted to UMass Amherst, Doherty was the first in his family to attend college and earned an associate’s degree in animal sciences in 1957, his bachelor’s in agricultural and food economics in 1959, and a master’s of agriculture and food economics in 1964.
Doherty’s connection to the university remained strong though out his life. He served as a UMass system trustee from 1988 to 1993, was on the Isenberg School of Management advisory board from 1984 to 2012 and earned the Alumni Association Medal for Distinguished Service in 1984.
According the Boston Globe, hechaired the university’s athletic committee from 1988 to 1991.
During that time, three athletic programs, including men’s soccer, were cut because of decreased revenues and increasing costs. Doherty is largely credited with restoring the men’s soccer program through pledges and private funding.
Doherty was the commencement speaker for the Stockbridge School of Agriculture in 1997. This came after he also spoke at the 1996 Stockbridge commencement, where he received the diploma he earned in 1957. He was given a certificate at the time he graduated, but was finally awarded the actual diploma in the ceremony decades later.
A full obituary is available with more information on Doherty’s life and arrangements.