Ben Abruzzo, born in 1930 in Rockford, Illinois and later of Albuquerque, New Mexico, joined with others, especially Robert Nordhaus, in developing the Sandia Peak Ski Area, the Sandia Peak Tramway, and the Sandia Heights subdivision at the base of the tramway. Beyond business, he achieved distinction in aeronautics through pioneering balloon voyages. In 1978, he flew with Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman in Double Eagle II and made the first successful balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. In 1981, flying Double Eagle V with Larry Newman, Ron Clark, and Rocky Aoki, he crossed the Pacific Ocean in the only balloon attempt ever made to do so. These voyages ranked among the great feats in aeronautical history. Pat Abruzzo, born in 1932 in Rockford, Illinois, was a beloved wife and mother, an indispensable partner in these achievements, and a co-venturer in spirit whose confidence, support, and encouragement helped make risk easier to conquer.