By Heather Skinner
HOWES CAVE — It is with heavy hearts we report the passing of a young, kindhearted, talent gone too soon. An “In Loving Memory” photo shared on Facebook by Tabby Lynn listed Benjamin Frisch’s honored his life from August 12, 2006 until his tragic passing January 11. Many who knew him are remembering him as family, as their best friend, and an extraordinary & beautiful soul with a kind smile.
Frisch was a self-taught Organist and Community Church of Howes Cave Director of Music. Also at the Church, he coordinated their May 16th & October 24th, 2025 Organ Recitals and their Christmas Eve service where he gathered a choir of members who sang O Holy Night.
Frisch was also a Howe Caverns tour guide who led 387 tours in 2025. A Howe Caverns Facebook tribute post explained that Frisch passed away in a tragic ski accident at Plattekill Mountain.
Additional tributes and articles are continuing to pop up all over social media, exhibiting the many organizations and lives that Frisch made a positive impact on.
Bob Holt of the Schoharie Valley Singers shared his shock at the tragic passing of Frisch and heartwarming sentiments for the large number of connections he was able to make at such a young age; and he made those connections as someone hardly ever on social media.
Holt recalled meeting Frisch while preaching at Beards Hollow Church. Frisch was around the age of 10 and he described Frisch and his siblings as a wonderful family who were always well-mannered and who knew how to respect the church. Around the age of 15, Holt said Frisch expressed an interest in playing the organ and without formal lessons Frisch was able to amaze Holt by how quickly he could operate an antique pump organ while reading music.
For the last service Holt delivered there, Frisch played the hymns he gave him, “like he had done it all his life.” Frisch had also requested Holt’s service be one that would have been done at the Church 100 years ago because he was interested in all facets of churches, where they came from, and services used years ago and now.
Then, after attending one of the Schoharie Valley Singers’ concerts, Frisch told Holt he enjoyed it and wanted to join. Holt said Frisch was a welcomed addition to the Schoharie Valley Singers and that members have been leaving beautiful comments and condolences on their Facebook post in Frisch’s honor.
Holt shared of Frisch, “He had such a gift; he would go far. We can’t even begin to imagine where he would have been in 10 to 20 years from now. It gives you hope for the younger generation as I look back and I see the lack of participation. People are not joining organizations, they are not joining churches, but when you have somebody like Ben, it gives you renewed hope.”
That hope Frisch gave Holt includes Frisch’s legacy inspiring others to be like Frisch-don’t be afraid to ask, search, try something new, and be willing to help someone. Younger people, join your local choir, explore what excites you; Holt cherishes the memory of conversations with Frisch about the first time Frisch got to put on a hard hat and get all muddy in Howe Caverns, and take initiative; Frisch became Beards Hollow Society President this past year and read Robert’s Rules of Order to learn how to conduct his first meeting.
Pastor Tom of the Community Church of Howes Cave shared that they will miss him terribly and that he had been working with Frisch for over a year to help him study for the Ministry. The first step was becoming a Lay Preacher, and Pastor Tom disclosed that Frisch was officially installed with that title the same day he passed. Frisch had received his signed certificate on the 31st of December.
Frisch played each Sunday at 5 different churches of different denominations, he worked helping out at the fair, at Sharon Springs concerts, and with anything that needed to be done including picking up trash. Pastor Tom went on to credit Frisch with knowing the Scriptures better than anyone, accomplishing a lot in his young life, and, “No matter what happened or what was going on, he always came with a smile and it was like he had a light around him.”
Sunday the 18th, Pastor Tom’s 10:30 AM sermon at the Community Church of Howes Cave will be a tribute to Frisch, who had been scheduled to preach there the next Sunday. For anyone who wants to help Frisch’s family with arrangements, you can donate while at Church for the tribute sermon and the Church will be passing those donations along to Frisch’s family.
The next time you’re at the Community Church of Howes Cave, remember to admire their stained glass windows and think of Frisch. Pastor Tom recalled when they had storm windows made to be installed on the stained glass windows. Frisch found out Pastor Tom and the Executive Committee were installing the storm windows themselves, showed up with his brother, and told the Committee and Pastor Tom to take a break; Frisch and his brother installed nearly all of the storm windows you see on the Church today.
Pastor Tom plans to speak with the Executive Committee to see if there is a possibility of continuing to contact Organists to hold the 3rd Recital Frisch had been planning to conduct in May of this year in his honor.
Frisch’s Grandmother updated that arrangements for a service are currently in the process of being made and that it will be coordinated with Frisch’s church and coworkers. The date and time will be posted once determined. Pastor Tom included that the services will be held at Lawyersville Reformed Church, and how grateful he is to them for the January 12th open time that church offered for people from different churches who knew Frisch to gather to talk, share experiences and grief, and help find peace together; Pastor Tom was happy to see one Catholic Church’s whole choir was in attendance that night. The Sharon Spring Free Library is also feeling the weight of the loss of Frisch who was a patron there.Their Facebook post included, “For details on funeral arrangements, please contact Ottman Funeral Home in Cherry Valley: ottmanfuneralhome.com (607) 264-8141.”
Many who knew Frisch shared messages to be included in this tribute to his legacy, and I will end this article with those kind words they shared:
"The Schoharie Land Trust is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Benjamin Frisch, an enthusiastic outdoorsman and lover of nature, and a generous friend of the SLT and its Settles Mountain Nature Preserve."
“Ben had a spiritual gift that he shared with others, ambitious, musically talented, helpful and a joy to be with in his company. Thank you, Ben, for your short time with us, so sincerely appreciated!” -Kathy Kosier, Choir Member from Saint Vincent de Paul Church.
Neighbors of the family said that Frisch, his brother, and two sisters help them seasonally on the farm and, “They are all truly a joy. The loss of Ben defies words. Our loss is heaven’s gain. May his memory be a blessing.”
“We knew Ben for his whole life, and it has been wonderful to see him grow and know that he used the talent that God gave him. We will definitely miss him. We love him and his family immensely.” -Larry Crosby.
“This is Cathy Ruhland, I am one of the many heartbroken people today and for the foreseeable future. Losing Ben Frisch at age 19 is impossible to wrap one's mind around. He was so gifted, so bright, so able to understand so much. His future was full of every possibility. And paired with a kindness and good-natured-ness that was unusual for a young 19-year-old man. He was a budding organist and pianist, a chicken farmer, a tour guide, an adventurer, a reader, a handyman. He could fix or figure out how to fix anything. He advised me on what to plant to counter the nasty invasive, black knapweed. And he had the ability to build community by bringing people together with his organ recitals and sing-alongs. We may never meet such a wonderful young man again. We will miss Ben! Rest in Peace, Ben!”
Lastly, I want to reshare a memory from the October Organ Recital. The Mountain Eagle asked what Frisch wanted to share with everyone. In response he quoted, “Soli Deo Gloria,” and explained that is Latin for, “To God alone be the glory,” and what Johann Sebastian Bach always said upon finishing a piece of music.
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