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Francis Bentzen Obituary
Francis Lawton "Skeets" Bentzen, 89, of Idaho Falls, died Nov. 2, 2009, at his home.
He was born Feb. 19, 1920, in New York City, N.Y., to Carl Bentzen and Phyllis Lawton Bentzen. He grew up and attended schools in Neptune City, N.J. In 1938, he graduated from Neptune High School. He attended King's College and the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and master's degree in physics.
On Sept. 12, 1942, he married Kathryn "Kay" Begeal in Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J. Skeets was a nuclear physicist at Idaho National Laboratory for 30 years from 1954 to 1985, and prior to that he worked on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, N.M. He was an active member and deacon of Calvary Baptist Church in Idaho Falls. Skeets loved traveling, hiking, skiing, camping and nature. He was passionate about electronics, computers, music and photography. Skeets was an honest man, a committed Christian, devoted to his wife and family, a faithful friend and innately a scientist.
He is survived by his spouse, Kathryn "Kay" Bentzen of Idaho Falls; sons, Keith Lawton (Kaye) Bentzen of Arvada, Colo., and Craig Leigh (Sharon) Bentzen of Geneva, Switzerland; grandsons, Chris (Anna) Bentzen of Reno, Nev., Brady (Molly) Bentzen of Santee, Calif., Daniel Bentzen of Idaho Falls, and Blake (Corinne), Elliot and Ian Bentzen, all of Geneva, Switzerland; granddaughter, Amy (Craig) Burchette-Smith of Houston, Texas; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Phyllis Klein; and a son, Gary Wade Bentzen.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Calvary Baptist Church, 785 First St. in Idaho Falls, with Billy Legler officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to The Salvation Army, 605 N. Boulevard, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, in remembrance of Skeets Bentzen. Arrangements are under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www .coltrinmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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