
Richard LaVer Bentley
January 24, 1953 - October 26, 2019Service Information
Viewing November 1, 2019 at 6:00 PM
601 East Mansfield Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah
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ViewingNovember 2, 2019 at 10:30 AM
601 East Mansfield Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah
Viewing Directions: click HERE
Funeral Service November 2, 2019 at 11:30 AM
601 East Mansfield Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah
Service Directions: click HERE
Richard LaVer Bentley
1953 ~ 2019
Richard Bentley was the kind of man who wanted everyone to feel heard and loved. He showed that attention to others with his loving eyes and a constant smile. He bestowed his greatest love and attention to his wife, ten children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, and in-laws, but all who met him were greeted with kindness. He spent his days loving the Lord, his country, and his family.
He was born to LaVer and Eva Bentley on January 24, 1953 in Logan, Utah. He is the oldest of 12 children. He was a diligent and hard worker as he completed chores around the house and their mini farm.
Richard served a two-year mission to Seoul, Korea in 1972. He loved the culture and serving the people. The Koreans had much respect for him because of his serious demeanor. While on his mission he wrote his mother that he didn’t want her to stop having children because coming from a large family brought him so much happiness, which was a foreshadowing of his large family.
He attended the University of Utah but finished his degree at Brigham Young University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree as an electrical engineer. His work as an engineer was excellent.
He met his sweetheart, Nancy, in Orem at her home in 1976. Richard’s brother Steven was engaged to Nancy’s cousin, Debbie Blackburn. Steven and Richard stopped by to say hello to Nancy’s family. A year and four months after they met, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They have been together for 41 happy years.
Through the years he loved teaching his ten children and his twenty-two grandchildren the gospel and the history of America. He was an excellent teacher and enjoyed conversing about all topics.
He loved hiking, the constitution, country, classical and rock music, dancing, drawing/painting, camping with his sons, and science-fiction shows/stories.
He enjoyed serving as a Scout Leader, Stake Missionary, as well as the Gospel Doctrine and Gospel Essentials teacher.
Six months ago he suffered a leg injury and things got progressively worse from there. In September the doctors found out he also had a rare cancerous tumor in the same leg. After many months of ups and downs Richard lost his battle to cancer on October 26, 2019.
He is preceded in death by his Grandparents: Richard Ivins Bentley & Amelia Walser, David Anthony Richardson & Elaine Earl, his father LaVer Walser Bentley, and nieces: Vanessa Bentley and Leah Bartlett.
He is survived by his mother Eva Bentley, his siblings: Steven (Debbie), Arthur (Ruth), Elaine (Craig), Ruth, Julia (Micheal), Anthony (Debbie), Jane (Paul), Anita (Kipp), Thomas (Christine), Robert (Jeanette), Rebecca (Nate), his wife Nancy Bentley, and children; Heather (Curtis) Walker, Todd (Adrianne) Bentley, Heidi (Brian) Mecham, Natalie (Clint) Nelson, Shanae (Chris) Martinez, Jacob, Jason, Tyler, Bryson, & Branton, as well as his grandchildren.
Richard was the best of men, a faithful follower of Christ, and beloved by all who knew him.
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Richard was indeed the Best of Men. A Welcoming Smile, A Warm and open Heart, and open mind for everyone .
So very sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. He is a light shining in the darkness and the Earth is a little darker by his leaving it. Many prayers and hugs to all of you. ❤️
I knew Richard as children. He was kind even then. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My prayers are with you all.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Richard’s Mother and his family. What a remarkable life he lived!
What pleasant memories I have of gentle, kind Richard. Thank you for allowing me to catch up on his journey since we last spent time together in the Millcreek 12th ward. We were like one big family there. From road shows, to ward dinners, to the hundreds of Sundays we sat in the chapel together worshiping. I can still feel and hear the vibration of the pedals of the pipe organ and see in my minds eye the good Shepard stained glass window at the front of the chapel. Now Richard sees not just His likeness, but Him.
Nancy, I’m so sorry. What a heartbreak! I know you’ll be strong for your family. But take care of yourself too. Allow yourself to grieve. At anytime. Sending prayers to you and the comforter. Richard will be close by, feel his love and mine!
Dear Eva and Family, I am sorry that I did not know about the passing of Richard.I always search the newspaper obits too.I send my love and sympathy to you. Richard was the age of my son Wayne who passed away 4 years ago of Parkinsons. Way too young for both of them. I celebrated my 90 birthday on Nov 2.
I have great memories about your wonderful children who staye d with us, and then you host ed Jayne. Thank you!! Love, Colleen
Dear Bentley family, I haven’t written anything until now because I am still in shock that Richard died. I am still so heartbroken about this. Richard was wonderful. I knew him before any of you except Eva and her family knew him. He stayed at our home during the summers to earn money cherry picking. He and his siblings were our favorite cousins. We LOVED the Bentleys coming to stay with us. We even went camping together. All my memories of Richard are good. I knew he would be a great missionary! And He was! He was so smart , I knew he would do great things his life and be very successful. And he was! I knew he would be a great husband, and he was! I knew he would have a big wonderful family and he did! I was in awe of him as he spent time with me and my family. We had so much in common and loved being with the Bentleys so much! Richard you made a huge impact on everyone you knew and will be greatly missed! I love you.
Love Kari Stout Hain