Benjamin Alire Saenz

Benjamin Alire Sáenz, 71, of El Paso, passed away on July 28, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. Ben, as he was known to many, was born to Juan V. and Eloisa A. Sáenz on August 16, 1954.He is preceded in death by both parents; brother Donaciano Sanchez; sister Linda Paredes; brother Jaime A. Sáenz; and nieces Amy Hosler and Amanda Paredes, and now rests with them in the arms of the Lord.He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1972 and received a B.A. in Philosophy at St. Thomas Seminary in 1977. He also earned a master�b4s degree in Theology from the University of Louvain in Belgium in 1980.He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1981. After serving three years, he left the priesthood. He then received an M.A. in Creative Writing at UTEP in 1987 and became a professor there in 1992, where he remained until his retirement in 2016.He was a very successful writer with many published books, including a New York Times bestseller, numerous awards and accolades, as well as a remarkable movie made from his book, rthur and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.He loved the border and his life in El Paso, where he was loved and idolized. He will be greatly missed.