Longtime Westporter Richard Bentley — a noted international banker, golfer, amateur performer, and for 60 years the husband of artist Nina Bentley — died peacefully at home last month, of complications from brain cancer. He was 82.
A high school baseball star in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, his lifelong wanderlust was piqued when he and his twin brother joined the Navy. Richard returned home to graduate from the University of Wisconsin, and met the love of his life: artist Nina Millock.
Richard Bentley
After earning a master’s in international relations from Johns Hopkins University, Richard studied in Italy and Germany. During his career as an international banker, he worked in Germany, Switzerland, England, Chile and Venezuela. He spoke fluent German and Spanish.
He retired at 55, then pivoted to a 20-year career as an educator in Fairfield County and beyond.
Richard played leading roles in amateur theater productions, and was often the only person singing on-key at family gatherings. He enjoyed poetry writing and cooking. His lifelong tennis competition with Nina ended in a draw, but he did master the sport of golf.
Richard is survived by his wife Nina; sons Christopher (Mari) and Andrew (Fiona), and daughter Jennifer (Justin); 9 grandchildren; brother James; 4 nieces and nephews, and his golden retriever Riley.
(Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)
Richard was an trail steward at Aspetuck Land Trust’s Hilla von Rebay Arboretum on Morningside Drive South for many years. He loved walking the land with his dog and there is a tree planted in his beloved dog’s honor on the property. He took a beautiful picture of a hawk which I keep by my desk. Condolences to his family.
What a great life! Condolences to the family. Sending hugs. ~ Kristan Hamlin
He was both a teacher of mine briefly in high school and we played golf together a couple times at Longshore. A smart, funny, interesting man.
We will miss Richard tremendously – he was multi-talented as noted here, but also an accomplished artist, creating fabulous birdhouses for the Birdhouse auction, and generous beyond reason. He sat for hours with a house-bound friend, conversing in the friend’s native German, bringing joy to the friend. Our hearts go out to Nina and his family.
While I never knew Richard, I am fortunate to have met and gotten to know some of the members of his family. It’s clear that Richard’s amazing life and spirit lives on in them.