Bentley, Richard Owen

Richard Owen Bentley was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 11, 1930 and he died peacefully in Allen, Texas at his home on Aug 21, 2021. He lived a blessed, full and joyous 91 years.  Richard’s many friends know he was a loving, positive and pragmatic man who never lost his sense of wonder.  His presence was nearly bigger than life, literally and figuratively. At 6’ 2” he commanded attention, but his enormous heart was his lasting impression.  He had an infectious personality; he didn’t miss an opportunity for a handshake or a prolonged conversation about God, family, country and life.  There is emptiness in the hearts of all of those who knew and loved him. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Texas A&M University and he served proudly in the U.S. Army. He found his life’s career calling through serving the Boy Scouts of America for 38 years.  He retired as the South-Central Regional Director, which served 533,000 Scouts annually.  Richard lived the Boy Scout principles.  He lived his life with honor and always strove to do his best, to do his duty to God and to his country and to help other people at all times, to keep physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Once upon a time, every tweet had a bird attached and the chances are good that it was stalked repeatedly in its life and was photographed patiently and lovingly by Richard Owen Bentley.  It is even more amazing that as an ornithologist, he was completely self-taught. Richard began birding at the age of 15 in the Rio Grande Valley.  He traveled throughout the world searching for and cataloging thousands of different species.  Richard carved life and nature from simple pieces of wood to create one-of-a-kind, lifelike, delicate, beautiful bird figurines up to the day of his passing. With his keen eye and true affection for these birds he became a Master wood bird carver (self-taught) entering many shows and placing with the top carvers in the world. Richard was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed by his loving wife Linda Sandi Bentley, his son Mark Harris Bentley and wife Karen Lang Bentley; his son Leslie Owen Bentley and wife Michele Key Bentley; two grandchildren Evan Owen Bentley and Rachael Haley Key Bentley; and his stepson Gregory Scott Narramore. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbourn Albertie Bentley and Nettie Volney McCann; his brother Clyde Alton “Bud” Bentley, and his first wife of 57 years, Trula Mae Harris, whom he married May 4, 1951, and who passed away on Sept 30, 2008. Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.  

Arrangements under the direction of:

Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

(214) 306-6700