Timothy Bensch

He was born on September 11, 1958, to Gene and Barbara Bensch in Dayton, Ohio. His parents, a Lutheran pastor and a Kindergarten teacher, instilled in him a commitment to God, family, and service. As he grew up, Tim was drawn to music and academics, becoming a top musician and scholar at Walnut RIdge High School. He attended Capital University where he majored in music, played trombone, sang in the prestigious Chapel Choir, and met the love of his life, Tess.

On August 17, 1979 he married Theresa Sue Schirtzinger. They had two children, Katie and Peter, and worked side by side leading worship music in multiple churches in Ohio and Maryland.

In 1983, he joined the Navy, attending Officer Candidate School and Surface Warfare Officers School Command in Newport, RI. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA; Charleston, SC; and Washington, D.C. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Tim worked as a government contractor for NASA Goddard. For more than 30 years, Tim served the Aerospace industry, earning the respect of his colleagues with his depth of knowledge and insistence on a job well done.

Tim loved music, which is a love he shared with his wife, Tess. Tim used his musical talents, most notably trombone, piano, voice, and composition, to share joy, comfort, and faith. Tim’s musical talents and interests were awesomely diverse: playing in jazz-rock bands, arranging marching band shows, composing worship music, directing choirs, and recording hymns for family and friends who needed comfort.

Tim lived a life of service and kindness. He is remembered as someone who lived selflessly. In honor of Tim’s memory, may we all strive to emulate his kindness in our daily lives.

Tim is survived by his mother, Barbara Bensch; children, Katie Bensch (Daniel Krivonak) and Peter Bensch (Rita Flaherty); grandson, Gavin Smit; and siblings Becky Spangler (Doug Spangler) and Judy Hausfeld. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Bensch, and wife, Theresa Bensch.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 11 at 3 pm with a Celebration of Life to follow at 4 pm at the Woodstock Funeral Home and online via Zoom livestreaming (link attached in service information).

Memorials or donations may be made to Lutheran World Relief https://give.lwr.org/page/123179/donate/1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=cdr_online_24_evg_evergreen_br&ea.tracking.id=google&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw74e1BhBnEiwAbqOAjF-bmZ21drCQ4CiptFUkdqSV5VTEUNj_-XfXAvLu6B6u2oIWZZVG6BoCBJUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

or Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation. https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw74e1BhBnEiwAbqOAjGWp1uWmzE-Z5Qh8EpBT690civtXZ5UyVfg5MI9x_KrJnsuwziKRyBoCBmwQAvD_BwE