Alfred Nye Bentley

Al was born on June 26, 1939 in Paterson, New Jersey to Isabelle Crawford and Alfred Bentley. Al spent his early years in northern New Jersey, graduating from Eastside High School in Paterson. It was in high school he met Mildred “Millie” Jagt, the love of his life. They married in 1961, and had three children, Laura, Alfred, and Linda.

Al was rightfully proud of his military service in the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion (SeaBees) during which he was stationed in Greece, Spain, and Antarctica.

Following his military service he attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York at night, working as an architectural draftsman during the day to support his family. After 7 years of diligent study, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. During the course of his career his professional opportunities brought him and his family to Reading, Pennsylvania and Ann Arbor, Michigan, prior to his permanent location in the Seattle area.

During Al’s high school years, he was an exceptional athlete, distinguishing himself as a cross-country runner earning his athletic “letter” in track and field.

His friends and loved ones speak of his exceptional talent as an engaging storyteller who could transfix his listeners with his humor, exceptional sense of recall, and sometimes mildly irreverent commentary.

Al was a man who placed high value on his friendships and who could always be counted on to be there if someone was in need. While a good listener and earnest conversational companion, Al was frank and honest in his views and did not suffer fools easily.

He enjoyed following his football teams the New York Giants and the Seattle Seahawks. When his young son Al started playing Little League baseball, he became a quick study of the sport. He developed long friendships with other parents who attended league baseball games. He became an avid Seattle Mariners fan and took several trips to see them in spring training.

He enjoyed travel, reading, and assembling complex miniature model trains, boats, and airplanes, harkening back to his lifelong career in construction management and engineering.

Above all things was Al’s love and commitment to family. He is survived by his daughter Laura Bentley, son Alfred Bentley, brother Jeffrey Bentley, daughter-in-law Emily Birky, and grandchildren Ella Bentley and Alfred Oscar Bentley. Al’s youngest daughter Linda Richard predeceased him in 2000, leaving two grandchildren Zachary Richard and Megan Richard.

Al Bentley was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, colleague, and friend. His loss is immense to all who knew him and will be deeply felt.

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, memorial contributions may be made directly to HOPE4HUSKIES, an all volunteer, registered 501c(3) nonprofit organization based in Richland, Washington dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of Siberian Huskies and other snow dogs. www.hope4huskies.org