Richard Raymond Bentley, 96, a resident of Denton for 51 years, died on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. He was born in Polo, IL to Everette Bentley and Helen Lulu (Buck) Bentley.
When he was 14 years old, he was recruited to join the Illinois National Guard to play in the Kable Brothers Concert Band. In 1940, his unit was nationalized and became part of the U.S. Army. In 1941, his unit was called up to serve in the Pacific Theater in World War II. They rescued prisoners held captive in the Philippines.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA; his master’s degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL; and his doctorate from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. He was the drum major for the USC Trojans marching band.
On June 14, 1947 in Chicago, IL, he married Marji Tullis, whom he met at Cornell College.
He taught music in Redfield, SD; Winfield, KS; Napa, CA; and Ardmore, OK. In 1965, he became a professor of music education at Texas Woman’s University where he taught for over 20 years.
He was Vice President/College Division Chairman of Texas Music Education Association (TMEA) from 1978-1980. He was president of the Texas Music Educators Conference (TMEC) from 1983-1985 and edited TMEC’s magazine. He was Vice President of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors (TCAAUP) from 1985-1986. Other professional organizations of which he was a member include Music Educators National Conference (MENC); Music Teachers National Association (MTNA); California Educational Research Association (CERA); International Society for Music, Medicine and Education (ISMME); International Society for Music Education (ISME); Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA); and Phi Mu Alpha.
He served on the Boards of the Denton Area Teachers Credit Union, the Denton Wesley Foundation, and the Denton United Ministries Center. At the First United Methodist Church of Denton, he served on the Administrative Board, the Status of Women Commission and the Nominating Committee. For the Denton Kiwanis Club, he served on the Board from 2006-2008, and on committees that managed the Free Children’s Clinic and the Patron’s Fund. He was awarded the George F. Hixson Award by Kiwanis International and the 25 Year Legion of Honor by the Denton Kiwanis Club. For the last 11 years he was a resident of Good Samaritan Village where he served on a committee to provide professional development scholarships for the staff.
Over the years, he was also involved in the Parent Teachers Association in both Napa and Denton, Parents of the Denton Swim Team, Denton High School Band chaperone and many other activities of his children.
Richard is survived by Richard R. Bentley, Jr. (son) and his spouse Ruth Hutchison of Brea, CA; Beth Ann Bentley (daughter) and her spouse Michael Gates of Jersey City, NJ; Martha Jane Bentley (daughter) and her spouse Becky of Minneapolis, MN; Philip Bentley-Gates (grandson); Hope Bentley Hutchison (granddaughter) and her spouse Aaron Dawson; and Mary Lou Wager (cousin).
He is preceded in death by Everette and Helen Bentley (parents); Donald Everette Bentley (twin brother); and Marjorie (Marji) Bentley (wife).
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Denton. The family will receive friends during a reception following the service at the church.
Memorial gifts may be given to either The Richard and Marjorie Bentley Music Education Scholarship, TWU Institutional Development, Box 425618, Denton, TX 76204; or Denton Kiwanis Club Children’s Clinic Trust Fund, 1001 N. Elm St., Denton, TX 76201.
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