Obituary of Dale M. Bentz

Dale M. Bentz, age 98, of Iowa City, died Sunday, June 25, 2017, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence.

Memorial services will be held 11 am Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City, followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments at the church.  (Sunday parking Ordinance will be in effect for the streets near the church)  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Dale’s memory to the University of Iowa Libraries c/o University of Iowa Foundation or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City.  Online condolences may be sent for his family through the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Mr. Bentz was born January 3, 1919, in York County, Pennsylvania the son of Solomon Earl and Mary Rebecca (Wonders) Bentz.  Dale married Mary Gail Menius on June 13, 1942, in New Bern, NC.  He graduated from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania in 1939, and held degrees from University of North Carolina (1940) and the University of Illinois (1951).

He came to the University of Iowa in 1953 as Associate Director of Libraries and was named University Librarian in 1970.  Prior to his Iowa appointment, he was employed by the University of Tennessee, University of North Carolina, and Duke University.  From 1942 to 1946 he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Mr. Bentz was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council for several terms.  During his time he served as Chairman of Council on two different occasions, one during the fire that destroyed the old First English Lutheran Church.  He was also active in many professional, University and community activities.  He was a member of Kappa Phi Kappa (Education), Phi Sigma Iota (Romance Languages),  Beta Phi Mu, International Library Science Honorary Society of which he served as president for one term.

Active in his profession, he served as President of the Iowa Library Association in 1959/60 and served in many capacities in the American Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries during his forty-five year career as a librarian.  He retired in 1986.

Dale was President of the University’s Triangle Club in 1958/59, a member of the Board of Trustees, Student Publications, Inc. for six years and served as president for two years, a member of the President Club and a life member of the University of Iowa Alumni Association from which he received ta Distinguished Alumni Award as a friend of the University in 1989.

Active in the Boy Scouts and in the public schools, he served two terms on the Board of Education of the Iowa City Community School District and was president in 1962/63.  He was also vice-president of the first Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Southeast Iowa.  In retirement he volunteered at Arts Iowa City, United Way of Johnson County, and the Home Delivered Meals program at the Senior Center.

His family includes three children, Dale Flynn Bentz and his wife, Judy; Thomas Earl Bentz and his wife, Sharlot; Carol Bentz Roach and her husband, Michael; eight grandchildren, Steven A. Bentz (Diane), Terri B. Culpepper (William), Michael D. Bentz, Christopher L. Bentz (Jean), Tyler A. Bentz, Tanner B. Bentz, Shaun A. Roach and Leah G. Roach; and 6 great-grandchildren, Marigail R. Bentz, Justin L. Bentz, Faith B. Culpepper, Bailey H. Culpepper, Sofia Sharokeena Bentz and Brooklyn Sabrina Bentz.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Gail; sister, Mary Lou Stover, and brother, Elwood L. Bentz.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Dale’s family and his services.