Martin Kenneth Bench

Martin Kenneth Bench, 46, passed away June 12, 2006. He was born July 3, 1959, in Logan, Utah, a son of Frank Kenneth and Eleanor Peterson Bench. Anyone who knew Marty Bench knew that he worked hard and he played hard. He was passionate about all aspects of life. He put his whole heart into worshiping the Lord, his family, working as an oral surgeon, and adventures with friends. So many people have felt the great impact Marty has had in this community. For the past four years he has touched the lives of countless youth (ages 14-18) as their early morning religion teacher. Most mornings Marty would wake around 4:00 AM to make final preparations for his volunteer position as a 6:00 AM religion teacher. Marty had a passion for the youth and he put a lot of extra effort into preparing his lessons, making his students excited to learn. There are so many things that Marty's family will miss about him. He and his wife Gail, who have been married just shy of 25 years, were quick to express their affection for one another. They obviously experienced the deepest form of love that any couple can have as they seemed to know what the other needed at any given moment. They had a way to turn each others weaknesses into strengths. Marty treated his wife like a queen. He loved surprising her with gifts and loved to do extravagant things to celebrate their anniversaries and other momentous occasions. Marty had five children four girls and one son who are focusing on celebrating his life just as he would want. There couldn't be a prouder father then Marty. He had a way of making each of his kids feel as though they were the most loved and successful kids in the world. He had such pride for his only son, Kenny who became a marine and served honorably in Iraq on three separate occasions, one of which he earned a purple heart. Any time he hears the national anthem or sees other armed forces doing something he gets a little choked up because it reminds him of what his son and so many other men and women are doing for our country. His daughter Keera was a lot like him as she was a hard worker and finished college. Education was important to him and he loved to know his daughter wanted the same thing. He is proud of the husband (Tyson) she chose and what great parents they have turned out to be. He loved all his grandchildren and couldn't wait to hold Keera's next child. Laurie is another daughter who he is so proud of as well. She is a wonderful mother to her daughter and twin boys. She commits her life to taking care of them and helping her husband (Brandon) finish dental school which is not very easy, but she never complains. He loved Laurie's attitude and how she always looked for the positive in all situations. Haley, the third daughter, is so strong willed and he loved that about her. She is working and going to school and preparing for her first child along with her proud husband (Mike). Haley gained her compassionate side from Marty, they were willing to help anyone regardless of their circumstance. Jessica was the youngest and no question was daddy's girl. He loved watching her grow and be involved in her many after school activities that kept her so busy. Being the only one left at home they really developed a special relationship important to Jessie and Marty. Marty was a hard worker who sacrificed twelve plus years in pursuing his education in order to provide a secure lifestyle for his family. He practiced as an oral surgeon for fifteen years. Anyone who associated with him, from his employees and patients to other dental colleagues, respected him as a doctor and loved him as a friend. Playing was another passion of Marty's. He loved to pick up new hobbies and he was always really good at them. He loved to golf with his best friend Lamont, and would go frequently. He recently took up running and ran in the New York City Marathon. He loved riding his bike in the mountains. Every year he and other friends would take a trip down to Moab, Utah to bike ride. Snowboarding was another of his many hobbies, and this was one he enjoyed to do with friends and youth. He would take youth on ski trips and everyone including Marty loved it. Wake boarding or anything on his boat really brought him the closest to the youth of his church and helped him be a part of their life. . Most recently he took up flying, and instantly loved it. He received his pilots' license and would fly almost on a weekly basis. Marty wanted to try and do as many things as possible and live life to the absolute fullest. He had a passion for life and living on the edge and always wants to be remembered that way. Marty had such a tender side that most people witnessed especially when with his grandchildren and children. One daughter stated 'it was so common for dad to swallow you up in a big bear hug and tell you he loved you each and every day.' He was not stingy with his hugs and kisses and he always let everyone know how much he loved and appreciated them. Marty wanted to make sure everyone else was ok and would literally do anything to help. Marty was a man that touched lives through his gracious acts of kindness and devotion to family, church and work. He will be sorely missed by all those he encountered. To preserve his memory his family strives to follow his example and live life to the fullest. Marty is survived by his beloved Wife, Gail; five Children, Keera McClellan, Laurie Wilcox, Kenneth Bench, Haley Bowen, and Jessica Bench; four Grandchildren, Isabelle, Landon and Levi Wilcox; and Kemarie McClellan; and two Grandchildren that are expected to arrive before November. Marty is also survived by his Parents, Frank and Eleanor Bench; by three Sisters, Louise Henrie, DeDrea Galbraith, Allison Reynolds; and by one Brother Jason Bench. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 19, 2006, 11:00am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Boulder Stake Center, 701 W. South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO. The family will greet friends at the Church from 9:30-10:45am, just prior to the service. Burial, Louisville Cemetery, Louisville, Colorado. Memorial donations may be made to The LDS Church Humanitarian Fund or to The LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund.