Harry Bentz

HARRY BENTZ 102, of Roseburg, Oregon passed away quietly in his home on October, 31, 2014, with his son by his side. Harry was born on August 23, 1912 to Daniel and Louise Bentz in the small farm town of Blandon, Pennsylvania, outside of Reading. He was the youngest of 13 children. Having grown up poor and quickly losing interest in school, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Army at 16. Harry's first assignment was to care for the horses of the U.S. Cavalry. Soon he transferred to the Army Air Corps and became an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer. His assignments took this farm kid places as far flung as Panama, the Philippines, Alaska and Hawaii. In 1942 Harry married Geneva Lightner in Long Beach, California. They had three children: Donald Bentz of Roseburg, Oregon, Donna Beretta (deceased) and Gary Bentz (Pat) of Tualatin, Oregon. During WWII he was sent to guard the Aleutian Islands. In spite of his modest enlisted rank, he won the respect of a Russian officer serving with the American Forces as part of a joint Pacific defense against the Axis. After the war Harry became a Drill Instructor for the Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Force. Harry retired as a Master Sergeant from the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and he continued employment at Travis AFB, California in a civilian capacity. Harry settled the family in nearby Vallejo, California where he and Geneva would make their home for more than forty years raising their family, being active with their church and civic organizations and becoming doting grandparents. After their daughter Donna died in a tragic car accident in 1991 the couple moved to Roseburg, Oregon in 1995 to be closer to their sons. Geneva passed away in 1998. After a three date courtship, they had remained faithfully married for 56 years. Harry affectionately called "Pops" by his family and friends, has spent his remaining years residing at Linus Oakes Retirement Center in Roseburg. He was known for being fiercely independent and a little grouchy with a dry wit and sense of humor, but was also a loyal and faithful friend. Harry revitalized the garden used by Linus Oaks residents to this day and was a fixture at his table nearest to the door in the dining room. This past August on his 102nd birthday, Harry was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for his military career. All though he never sought recognition for his own service, he always took great pride in his family and their accomplishments. Harry is survived by sons Don and Gary; 8 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. He was remarkably self-reliant and determined to the end and ever a man of duty, frequently remarked that he would be ready whenever God called him. Now that he has finally been called home to be reunited with friends and loved ones, the family thanks the staff at Linus Oakes for their love and support of "Pops" for over 16 years and wish to give special recognition to caregivers, Sheila Miller and Jeannie McKenzie for their faithful services and his buddy Gene Walker, Linus Oaks gardener. A Celebration of Life will be held for Harry on Sunday, November 16th at 11:00 am at Linus Oaks.