| Notes |
- Obituary
FLOYD EDWARD BENTLEY:
Dr. F. Edward Bentley left this earth October 25, 2023, to be with his Father in Heaven. He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia "Ginny" Thomason Bentley who passed away July 2, 2013. Edward was blessed with a fruitful life filled with many achievements, a loving family, and a lifetime of giving back to the communities he lived in.
Edward was born November 16, 1932, to parents Floyd Thomas Bentley and Edith Bayne Bentley in Richmond, Virginia as the country was coming out of the Great Depression. Second oldest of four siblings, he had an academic science quest that made him excel in high school science. He graduated valedictorian of his high school in Culpepper, Virginia and went on to Randolph Macon University in Ashland, Virginia, earning a B.S. in Organic Chemistry in 1953. He was Valedictorian of that graduating class as well.
He married his sweetheart, Ginny from the nearby women's college at Mary Washington University. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio and rented an attic apartment while Edward earned his Master's degree in Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University. The next stop was Gainesville, Florida to finish up with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Florida in 1956. While Edward was in Gainesville, Ginny was giving birth to their son, Russell Edward Bentley, in nearby Jacksonville where she grew up.
After graduating in 1956 with his PhD, he began a brief stint with DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware before moving his young family, including infant Gail Whitfield Bentley to Austin, Texas. He started his career as a research chemist with Jefferson Chemical Company's research laboratories in Austin in 1958. Boiling beakers and research were his passions. He earned several important patents, including for research he did on the emerging permanent press industry.
Edward and Ginny enjoyed raising their two children in Austin during the 1960's through the late 1970's. His involvement with the Boy Scouts, and Troop 59 in Austin, was full of adventure for him including the joy of being known as Scoutmaster "Dr. B". He enjoyed his time scouting for over 10 years, including his excursions of hiking and canoeing with the scouts which were numerous. He camped out in the Grand Canyon, Philmont, Big Bend, and Boundary waters wilderness canoe areas in Minnesota to name a few. He even camped on the Llano River and Enchanted Rock areas of Texas with his troop. Little did he know he would spend the last few years of his life in this area. He was a great Scout Master and was loved and respected by all that knew him. A kind and gentle soul with a smile always (well usually) on his face.
The family home on Lake Travis was always in the plans for extra weekends away from scouting. Fishing, sailing, skiing, and swimming were favorite pastimes for the Bentley family. In the early years, Edward and his lab co-workers would build and construct homemade fireworks for Fourth of July celebrations at the lake house using their knowledge of chemistry. Something that wouldn't be happening with today's fire codes! Wonderful Memories.
In 1978, Edward and Ginny moved from Austin to Houston, and the two "empty nesters" purchased an old "Dog Run" style early Texas home and, after restoration, had it listed as an Historical Marker in neighboring Chappell Hill, Texas where they resided for over 30 years. He became the "Andy of Mayberry" to many of the residents there as the long-time president of the Chappell Hill Water Society. Relations with the Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, Adkins Cemetery, restoring older buildings in Chappell Hill also received his time and attention. He made great friends and memories in Chappell Hill and Brenham for the many hours he put in supporting the communities.
Edward and Ginny traveled extensively in Wales, England, Scotland and France and Edward even managed a trip to the Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave in France to see the famous figurative cave paintings. In the 1990's, Edward and Ginny became Poppy and Mimi as their next chapter in life unfolded.
They designed an English cottage in Chappell Hill and filled their home with wonderful memories of friends in their community. Many memories with his grandchildren and great grandson Eli are forever ingrained within his soul. He adored his family, and they adored him. He spent his last few years in Llano, Texas at Celeste Care near family.
Edward is survived by his son Russell and his wife Gayla, his daughter Gail Bentley Rose and her husband David, his grandchildren Dana Rose Pocasangre and her husband Oscar, and Trent Rose and his wife Madison. His granddaughter Dana blessed Edward with his favorite great grandchild, Eli Pocasangre (age 7). Both grandchildren are expecting new additions to their families soon, and Edward was excited to learn about these events before he passed. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins in California, Colorado, and Virginia.
The family would like to thank the staff at Celeste Care and Solaris Hospice for all the efforts and compassion they extended to Dr. Bentley. In lieu of flowers, acceptance of donations to Llano Christian Academy would be greatly appreciated.
Llano Christian Academy
Scholarship Fund
507 East Green Street
Llano, Texas 78643
A fellowship memorial luncheon for friends, family, staff and residents will be November 12, 2023 at 12pm CT at Celeste Care of Llano, 701 E. Young Street, Llano, Texas 78643.
A memorial celebration of life will also be scheduled for January 13, 2024 in Houston. Contact the family for more information.
|
1932 - 2023 (90 years)
