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Curt Bench Obituary
1952 - 2021
Salt Lake City, UT Our husband, father, grandfather and brother passed away unexpectedly on August 17, 2021. Curtis Allred Bench was born on November 17, 1952, the son of Gordon and Verdon Bench in Los Angeles, California. Growing up, one of his favorite things to do was to read the dictionary. When friends would go to the beach to surf he'd take a book instead. He was definitely born with a "why" chromosome that lasted throughout his life. Curt served in the Alabama-Florida mission. This is where he began his LDS book collection. Curt worked for and later managed stores for Deseret Book and in 1984 he opened the rare book department there. In 1987, Curt opened his own store, Benchmark Books, which continues today and has become a gathering place for Mormons of all stripes. Curt envisioned a religion that included beliefs across the spectrum, a true "big tent" proponent.
Curt's wealth of knowledge and accomplishments are too numerous to count but he was passionate about words, books, limericks, humor and laughter, turquoise and especially people. He loved unconditionally and built bridges and offered his hand to any that struggled, with a listening ear and no judgment. We will miss him every time we look at a sunset, and miss his texts telling us to go look at the sky.
Curt graduated from BYU, where he met and fell in love with Patricia Gaffney Bench. They married and completed their eternal family with four children: son, Christopher Bench (Wendi), daughters, Brittany Poulton (George), Emily McLean (David), son, Landon Bench (Lex) and later came nine grandchildren with whom he was incredibly involved and devoted to: Rylie, Qhloi, Senator, Annapurna, Jasper, Eve, Poppy, Noah and Bliss. "Papa" will always be remembered for pushing them on the swing in the backyard, reading to and giving them an endless supply of books. They will miss coming through the door and having their Papa sneak up on them and giving them a big surprise. He encouraged his children to be educated and work hard. He often joked all of his children worked for him or at least were employed by him to help them earn their way through college.
Also survived by his brother Dennis G. Bench (Aileen) and his mother-in-law Betty Glad.
Curt was a member of the Utah Westerners, Mormon History Association, Sunstone Education Foundation, John Whitmer Historical Association, Utah Historical Society (Honorary Life Member) as well as his beloved Friday lunch group, The Latitudinarians.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Ken and Al Bench and his father-in-law, Bruce D. Glad.
We will honor Curt's life in conversation on Tuesday, August 24 at the East Millcreek Stake Center located at 3103 E. Craig Drive, from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday, August 25 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the same address. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. A broadcast of the funeral can be viewed at http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/saltlakeeastmillcreekstake. Curt was a germaphobe so don't forget to wear your mask.
Interment at Elysian Burial Gardens, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Memories and Condolences
for Curt Bench
Dave Christensen
September 29, 2021
Curt was kind, sincere, affable, and honest as the day is long. I will miss our conversations on books and church history, along with his warm sense of humor. When recently I spoke with him up at the conference in Park City, I asked about his health, and he said he was getting along okay, and then we moved on to other topics. He´s fortunate to have Chris and others at Benchmark to carry on his legacy. My life has been all the richer for having known Curt these past twenty plus years.
Stacee
September 14, 2021
One ofnthe best souls ever to grace this earth. He knew everything about the LDS faith and shared freely. I will miss sharing petroglyph sites with him and incessantly joking around. A true man of God.
Dean Ferree
August 28, 2021
I´ve known Curt since our days at Canoga Park Elementary School. A great friend whom I was eagerly waiting to see at HS reunions, which unfortunately was foiled last year, our 50th, by the pandemic. He was loved.
Kathleen Hayden
August 24, 2021
I worked with Curt through Deseret Book in several capacities and always thought of him as a friend. He was a loyal, kind friend to those I knew he was close to at work and I had some interactions with this kind caring man long after I left my employment at DB. I even had a chance meeting with him at Disneyland one year and it reminded me about what a small world this is when we associate with fun loving people. I know that is what Curt was and I send my love to his family who will be missing him. So grateful we have the understanding that we will have the opportunity to see him again. I wish I had known that he served his mission in Florida. I live there now and I would have loved to swap stories with him.
Linda Hicks
August 24, 2021
Dear Pat and Family, I was so saddened to learn of Curt's sudden passing. Roger and I so enjoyed the times we were able to spend with you, and appreciated the good conversations and laughter. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jennifer Dobner
August 24, 2021
In gratitude for Curt's friendship and patience as he tried to teach me about Mormonism. I am forever grateful for both.
Rual and Anne Coray
August 23, 2021
Our son Tim Coray, worked for Curt a short time back. Curt was such a great friend to him. Curt excepted Tim as he was. That was a difficult time in Tim´s life. We will ever be so grateful to Curt for his kindness and genuine concern for Tim.
We are so very sorry that Curt is no longer here, but we know we will see him again. His goodness will live on through your family.
Sincerely,
Rual and Anne Coray
John Mazza
August 23, 2021
Dennis so sorry to hear about your brother. I hope you are doing well.
Jerry and Judene Graham
August 22, 2021
Oh Pat, I'm so sorry Curt had to leave you so soon and so suddenly! He was such a good friend, always had a smile and usually a joke or story. We'll miss him and hope that you'll be ok. Love,
Jerry and Judene
Jerry Johnston
August 22, 2021
Curt loved getting people together to share a meal along with some insights, jokes and gossip. There were three of us in our little "pod" - Curt, Doug Wright and myself. We met the first Tuesday of each month for Mexican food. The last time we got together (August 3) I told them we needed to live to be 85 because I simply could not imagine a world without them in it. Curt said, "Maybe you guys, not so sure about me." Meeting with Curt was cleansing. I always left him feeling lighter, wiser and larger. As one obit writer said of the poet William Stafford, "He wasn't a star, he was better than that." Ditto for you, Hermano.
Joe and Allison Schlichter
August 21, 2021
Much love and condolences to loved ones of Mr Bench.
Brian Stuy
August 21, 2021
I met Curt decades ago, and he was always the kindest and best of friends. His death leaves a huge hole in my heart. I will miss him and his voice. He was a good friend.
Doug Christensen
August 21, 2021
Everyone who knows Curt wanted him to live forever, or at least as long as he could crack jokes-we lost him much too soon. He is an in institution of wisdom and warmth and I am a better person because of his example and kindness. I mainly know him through our mutual friend John Peterson and Latitudinarian channels and the book shop, but my affection for him and my gratitude for his humanity run deep. I had too little contact with Curt, but we were soul brothers. My profound condolences to the Latitudinarians, to his family, and to all those wounded by this great loss. I would conclude this tribute with a Dad-joke but Curt would one-up me before I made it to the punchline.
Karen Hoffman
August 21, 2021
My heart is breaking for you, Pat! I love you and Curt and your wonderful family. I will always treasure the time you let me tag along with you two to San Francisco. Such fun memories. Please know that I am thinking of you and praying for comfort. Sending all my love, Karen Hoffman
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