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Benjamin Sacks always had drive.

If he wanted something, he paved a path and got it, said Allan Sacks, his son."He had a very, very exceptional life," he said. "If I have half that life, I'd be very fortunate."

Benjamin Sacks died Dec. 15 of natural causes in San Diego, where he lived.

He was 104.

Whether Sacks the senior was shooting hoops, teaching, writing or dancing, he surrounded himself with physical activity.

He played basketball and tennis at the University of New Mexico. The legendary Roy Johnson coached his team, one that lost just two conference games between 1924-26.

Sacks was inducted in the Hall of Honor at UNM in 1989.

"He was a very fine athlete," Allan Sacks said. "He was considered at the time, and even after, as one of the finest basketball players who ever donned a University of New Mexico jersey."

He even had the opportunity to coach the team for which he once played when Johnson was called to serve in World War II in 1942. He coached the team for just a short period before also being called to war.

Benjamin Sacks also was an impressive handball player. He continued to play the sport until he reached 60 years old, sealing up a long list of wins with zero losses.

Because he was always looking for something new to learn, he took up ballroom dancing when he turned 80.

"He worked at it just how he worked at anything, just to be prolific at it and to be successful at it," Allan Sacks said. "As he got older, I think he truly enjoyed dancing. I think he enjoyed having a limited social life. He was never one of those people who were very gregarious and outgoing, but I think he truly enjoyed dancing and the camaraderie of the people he knew."

He continued dancing until he turned 100.

Though Benjamin Sacks is known for being a great athlete, he also made an indelible mark in academia.

He graduated from UNM with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his education, earning a master's and eventually a Ph.D. from Stanford University.

His focus was British history, but he also delved into the history of Africa and Europe.

He was a smart man who shared the knowledge he gained, said Jim Hulsman, his friend.

"The man was a teacher," Hulsman said. "He was a dedicated teacher, and he would leave no stones unturned to tell what it was all about."

Benjamin Sacks was a professor at UNM for about 30 years, and he also taught at Arizona State University.

His legacy lives on at UNM.

A former student started an endowment scholarship in Sacks' name in 2005. The scholarship is awarded to students studying British, European or African history.

When Benjamin Sacks wasn't teaching or playing sports, he conducted research.

He loved to read and write, Allan Sacks said. During his lifetime, he published seven books, and he had a number of essays printed in several publications, his son said.

"You have to have a certain personality to do this, and he had that personality where he was able to do research and write and do the things he chose to do," Allan Sacks said. "That was his true love."

Though Sacks was successful, he was humble about his accomplishments.

Allan Sacks said his father never bragged when he earned an award. Even his funeral arrangements were humble.

"He was specific that there would be no funeral or memorial when he passed," he said. "He felt that he lived his life and others should go on and live their life and not have to be bothered in any way. He was very humble."

Benjamin Sacks was buried in San Diego.

He will be remembered for his unique character, Hulsman said.

"He was so well educated and so active, and I was not surprised at all to see him out running, playing handball, things of that order," he said. "He was very good. He did everything kind of right."