Kenneth ""Kenny"" Robert Bench

Kenneth (Kenny) Robert Bench was born on November 30, 1983, in Ogden, Utah. He was named after his two grandpas: Frank Kenneth Bench and Robert Roy Holman. Keera, his older sibling, was delighted to have a little brother to add to the family. His parents (Marty and Gail) moved to Denver, so his dad could go to dental school. While there, he became an older brother to Haley. His parents moved again for his dad's schooling in 1998 to Minneapolis, Minnesota. While in Minnesota, Kenny collected two more sisters, Jessie and Laurie (who was adopted into the family). They moved back to Colorado in 1992 after his dad graduated as an Oral Surgeon.

Kenny played golf for Monarch High School and volleyball as a youth. He also was an avid wakeboarder and snowboarder in high school. He recieved his Eagle Scout in 2001 and graduated from Monarch High School in 2002. Kenny joined the Marine Corps in the fall of 2002. He did three tours in Iraq in his 4 years with the Marine Corps. He said the first time was a piece of cake, but the second and third deployments were hell. He was in Fallujah and the surrounding area and lost many friends and comrades. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Iraq and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for things he accomplished while there in the service of his country.

Just weeks after coming home from his 3rd deployment in Iraq, he lost his dad in a plane crash. He never fully recovered from this great loss, or from his experiences in Iraq. He suffered from severe PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). In 2008, he met Melissa Brunner, and on December 23rd of 2009, their precious daughter Rylee was born. Having this beautiful and wonderfully sassy girl to raise and with Melissa by his side, they helped to provide a positive focus in his life. Rylee was Kenny's world. He was a wonderful and doting father. Melissa and Kenny got married in May of 2011, and they had a second addition to their family–sweet, joyful Martin Kenneth who was born on Valentines Day of 2012. Kenny was so proud of his 2 children. He read to them everynight and often did chemistry experiments with them. He beemed whenever he was with his two children. Kenny graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavorial Science in December of 2013. He worked as a counselor/advocate for troubled youth and as a handyman for a good friend, Randy Law. Kenny and Melissa had their third beautiful and again wonderfully bossy daughter, Camille (Millie), on February 18, 2016. In 2017, Melissa and Kenny divorced. His children continued to be his pride and joy. Nothing made Kenny happier than being with them or talking to them on the phone.

Some great loves in Kenny's life were his family (sisters, mom and dad), cousins, friends, boating, Lake Powell, wakeboarding, snowboarding, frisbee golf, cooking, volleyball, golf, shooting guns, and he was even a great decorator, but the greatest love in his life was hands-down his three amazing children! He will be so missed by them and all of us.

Kenneth Robert Bench died on January 1, 2019. He is preceded in death by his father, Martin Kenneth Bench. Kenny is survived by his three children: Rylee, Martin, and Millie. Kenny is also survived by his mother, Gail Holman Bench-Heil; his sisters, Keera (Tyson) McClellan, Haley (Michael) Bowen, Jessica (Cade) Cannon and Laurie (Brandon) Wilcox; his 12 nephews and 7 nieces; his many extended family members; and his many friends.

Services will be held on Friday, January 18th, at the LDS Chapel at 701 W. South Boulder Road, Louisville, Colorado. The viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., and the funeral will start at 10:00 a.m. Following the funeral service, family and friends will go to the Lousville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting that a donation be made to the K9s For Warriors in Kenny's name.

Please share memories of Kenny and condolences with his family by signing the online guestbook below.

Funeral Service: January 18, 2019 10:00 am

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Louisville)
701 W South Boulder Rd
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 665-5499

Graveside Service: January 18, 2019 12:00 pm

Louisville Cemetery
2105 Empire Rd, Louisville, CO 80027
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 335-4735