Bentley Bruce Giffen

Bentley Bruce Giffen entered into the Joy of our Lord peacefully August 7, 2015, where he was reunited with his beloved wife and son. Ben was born in Washington State but enjoyed living his last 61 years in Victorville. He moved away from his beloved desert just long enough to earn his degree at Redlands University. This degree prepared him to pursue the passions of his life, teaching and coaching. He faithfully taught and coached at Victor Valley High School for 34 years. Ben never stopped learning, he always had a book in his hand or by his side. He loved learning about History and he loved teaching that subject as well. He also enjoyed his many years teaching English Literature. Ben, or Coach, as he was so often referred to, spent years on the tennis courts instructing the JV team and assisting with Varsity Tennis. But he is most remembered as the Boys Soccer Coach. He spent countless hours on and off the field with his players, many of whom he kept in touch with over the years. Born with the love of learning, Ben was an excellent student at Victor Valley Jr. & Sr. High Schools, where he formed a number of life-long friendships, graduating with the class of "1960". He was also the first ASB President at Victor Valley College. During his college years, Ben married his high school sweetheart Sandra Kay Schmidt, a Victor Valley native who also shared his love for the High Desert. During their 48 years of marriage, they were blessed with a son Steven and a daughter Stacy. Steven was also a teacher at VVHS. When Ben retired, Steven took his place in the history department where he spent the remainder of his 17 year teaching career. Stacy, a kindergarten teacher at West Palms Conservatory in Victorville, continues the family tradition, started by Ben's mother Rozelma (Peggy) Sartor, as educators in the High Desert. A tragic bicycle accident in 2009 caused a traumatic brain injury leaving Ben unable to enjoy the retirement life he loved. His wife Sandy and son Steven were by his side caring for his every need until God called them both home. Ben was also lovingly cared for by his daughter Stacy and son-in-law Paul who were with him when he passed. The family would like to thank Claudia Palacios for the attentive and loving care she has given Ben over the last few years. Ben was kind, gentle and greatly loved by his five grandchildren, David Ferris of San Jose, Jacob, Justin, Mitchell and Danielle Ferris of Apple Valley. He is also survived by his loving daughter Stacy Kaye Ferris (Paul) of Apple Valley and Debbie Galuppo lovingly called "adopted daughter" and Debbie's daughters, Alex, Sami and Frankie Galuppo of Orange. Ben was preceded in death by his wife Sandra Kay Giffen, son Steven Bruce Giffen, mother Rozelma (Peggy) Sartor, father Bruce Livingston Giffen, and step-father Peter J. Sartor. Ben's family is very thankful for your love and support in recent years. Please join us for a "Celebration of Ben's Life" at High Desert Church in Victorville on Tuesday, August 25th at 6:00pm.

Arrangements under the direction of Desert View Funeral Home, VICTORVILLE, CA.