04/04/11
- NNHS Newsletter
Mr. Bentley Anderson
Bentley B. Anderson
(08 Jan 1939 - 30 Mar 2011)
Maury High School Class of @ 1956
Newport News High School Faculty
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04/04/11
- NNHS Newsletter
Bentley B. Anderson
Maury High School Class of @ 1956 |
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Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
We have still more sad news
to report somewhat belatedly this Monday morning. Former
Newport News High School drama teacher,
Bentley Anderson, Maury High School Class of @ 1956, passed away in
Virginia Beach on Monday,
March 30, 2011 at the age of 72.
From
Dale Parsons
('69) of HI - 04/03/11, 9:11 PM - "Obituary":
| Aloha Carol, Here is the obituary for
Bentley Anderson, who
was the NNHS Drama teacher after
Miss Crane’s
retirement... Since there wasn’t much in the online Daily Press
obituary, here is some additional information from the funeral home
site...Thought I’d
pass this along for your information.
Thank you so much, Dale. |
From the Daily Press - 04/02/11:
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Bentley B. Anderson |
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| VIRGINIA BEACH -
Bentley B. Anderson, 72, Professor Emeritus of Theater/Speech
Communications at Virginia Wesleyan College, died Wednesday, March 30,
2011.
Condolences can be made at
www.altmeyer.com. View and post condolences on our online
guestbook at
dailypress.com/guestbooks. |
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From www.altmeyer.com:
Bentley B. Anderson |
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VIRGINIA BEACH - Bentley B.
Anderson, 72, Professor Emeritus of Theater/Speech Communications at
Virginia Wesleyan College, died Wednesday, March 30, in Seaside at
Atlantic Shores nursing facility after struggling over 10 years with
Alzheimer's. Bentley was a Berkley boy from Norfolk, VA, and was graduated from Maury High School; he received his BFA in Drama from Carnegie Institute of Technology, an MA from Wake Forest and his MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. An Eagle Scout in his youth, the scouts' code of honor, loyalty, courage, cheerfulness and service stayed with him all his life. |
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| Bentley Anderson | ||||
Bentley loved his 34 years at Virginia Wesleyan College, beginning his career there early in the college's history with theatrical performances in the cafeteria and realizing a dream many years later when he helped design the Hofheimer Theater. In his speech classes, he inspired many students who began their public speaking careers under his watchful eye. Widely involved for over 35 years in both professional and community theater, locally and beyond, Bentley was an award-winning actor, director and set designer. He collaborated extensively with schools across Tidewater, enriching countless children's lives with theater experiences, and for 20 years he lovingly adjudicated and presented the children's Maritime Poetry Awards from its beginnings at the Old Coast Guard Station. He brought his deep love for the written and spoken word to his teaching and to countless performances, large and small, both as an actor and director; and his creativity and ingenuity in set design and construction delighted actors and audiences alike. Bentley consulted widely and was a great technical resource; he was known for his willingness to lend a helping hand to individuals and organizations in times of need. A charter member of the Swedish Club of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, he treasured the monthly club gatherings. Bentley leaves behind his adoring wife Shirley Hurd Anderson, daughter Rosalind and her son Evan, brother Nils and his wife Martha, stepdaughter Elizabeth and her daughter Olivia and husband Kenny and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at the Memory Center and Seaside at Atlantic Shores as well as Medi Home Health and Hospice for all their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. A memorial service will be held in the Hofheimer Theater at Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk, VA at 5pm on Saturday, April 2; reception following. |
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April 01, 2011
Dear Shirley, Rosalind, Evan, family and friends, My husband, John, and I send you our heartfelt condolences upon the loss of Bentley. We regret not being able to attend his memorial service as we will be in upstate New York for my sister's 70th birthday. I have fond memories of Bentley from my two years of teaching at Virginia Wesleyan College in the late 70s. And I share his passion for the stage, although as a spectator primarily. May all you who loved him take comfort in your memories of his engaging presence, of his enriching contributions to the life of the theatre and of his community, and of the friendship he extended to so many. His was a life well lived, and we shall miss him very much. May he rest in peace. ~ Constance B. Williams, Virginia Beach, Virginia April 01, 2011
"And flights of angels sing thee
to thy rest." ~ Unsigned April 01, 2011
Eternity is when
everything happens.
April 01, 2011
Shirley, my heart is
heavy and saddened for your loss. You were so blessed to have such a
wonderful, adoring husband who shared your love of theater. If there
is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to call on me. You are
in my thoughts and prayers.
April 01, 2011  Dear
Shirley... My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
now... I will always remember Bentley's kindness and encouragement
and professionalism. It was a joy acting with him in "Bus Stop,"
what a generous and gracious actor... And it was an honor to be cast
by him in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"... When I think of Bentley, I
think of his brightness and goodness, and mostly his kindness.
Truly, he was a great human being, Southern gentleman, scholar, and
artist. And although this world is a little less bright without him
in it, he is adding his own special light to Heaven right now...
It's not the end... Because of Jesus, it's just a pause, or an
intermission... You'll see Bentley again someday... And the joy you
knew with him here will continue into another act... Because he
loved Shakespeare, I'm closing with these words from "Hamlet"... May
"flights of angels sing thee to thy rest"... Love and comfort to you
in Christ, Shirley... April 01, 2011
The loss of such a
wonderful soul, only pales in having known him.
Shirley my prayers and thoughts are with you. April 01, 2011
Shirley, I am
so saddened to hear of your loss. So many fond memories
of the old days. My thoughts are with your and your
family.
April 01, 2011
Shirley, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your
extended family in this time of sadness. I will always
remember "Bent's" smile and the great love that you have
for each other. He gave to me many valuable words of
advice though the years and I am grateful. Love & Light,
Martine April 01, 2011
It's been a
lot of years (more than I'll admit) since I last spoke
with Bentley, but we collaborated a lot back in the
early days of Theatre @ VWC. I had a company in Richmond
then called Backstage, Inc., and I installed stage
equipment and sold supplies to the school. He was a fine
man to work with - gentle and inspired, and I always
enjoyed his company. I am sure there will be many
expressing their fond remembrances here. Let mine join
the good company. He will be missed by all.
April 01, 2011
One day the
summer after my Freshman year at VWC, Bentley called my
home to talk to my mother, offering kudos and asking me
if I'd serve as a Peer Advisor to his Freshmen. I did so
every year. Bentley always welcomed me, in class or out,
and I loved the day I finally told him that I became an
actor. He's the most positive person in the business I
have ever known, and I owe him so much for that. Shame I
missed the chance to be directed by him.
April 01, 2011
Dearest Shirley,
I don't have to tell you what both you and Bentley have meant to me. It is because of Bentley that I will soon be a college theatre professor. I want nothing more than to follow in his footsteps and make him proud. I will be in London for the next week, and somehow find it fitting that I will be somewhere that he was instrumental in sending me the very first time. This trip is for him, and because of him. I love you both with all my heart, and will forever miss my dearest teacher, mentor and friend. God Bless. ~ Unsigned April 01, 2011 Back in the late 1970's in the Norfolk Theatre scene....when we were all young; many good times were shared by friends...It is with sadness that one so kind and eloquent is now gone. Bentley was so amusing and brilliant. May God rest your soul Bentley. ~ Carol Garrison Davis April 02, 2011
So very sorry for the loss of
Bentley. I am a former student of his and so in my mind he remains what I
recall some 35 years ago. He was a good man. April 02, 2011
Dear
Shirley, Let's treasure the many beautiful memories: Shakespeare &
Champagne, VB Little Theater, VWC performances--so many, so rich. Bentley
touched a lot of lives in a wonderful way. --Gary & Sue April 02, 2011
From the
halls of Newport News High School and the days Mr.
Anderson was our drama teacher many of the Typhoons feel
a sense of loss. He was far more than a teacher, he
mentored and encouraged everyone he came in contact
with. Always a gentlemen filled with vast amounts of
knowledge that he shared with everyone. He touched so
many lives during his earth walk. We will miss his
gentle soul. On behalf of many of his NNHS students we
send our condolences.
Ginny Hollomon Hawks NNHS Class of '69 April 02, 2011
Dear Shirley,
I am heartbroken for your loss and for the future students who will not benefit from Bentley's guidance and encouragement. Rest assured, his legacy will live on in all of his students, no matter what profession they may be pursuing, as he taught lessons that were ultimately universal, and in that way, he can never be forgotten. I wish I could be there in person to tell you myself, but my thoughts and prayers are with you. Please know that we are all mourning his passing and stand with you in our hearts. Bentley was one of a kind. April 02, 2011
Dearest
Shirley and Rosalind, you are in my thoughts and
prayers. I remain so grateful for all that I learned
from the Professor and all that he did to help me on my
path.
April 02, 2011
My NNHS
Classmate and friend Ginny Hawks said it all in her
note. I wasn't in drama class, but because of his
extensive involvement with our music department in which
I was very much a part, we had a chance to work with him
on various productions. I'll never forget when he
tackled the planning and production of two huge
"singing" Christmas trees that my dear uncle built for us!! In memory of a wonderful man... Sherry Hensel Huycke NNHS '69, Hampton, Virginia April 02, 2011
Bentley
Anderson was not just our teacher at Newport News High
School...he was our mentor and our friend. In the over
40 years that have passed, hardly a week goes by that I
don't think about something I learned from him. My
sincere condolences to his family. Bentley Anderson was
truly an inspiration to everyone who had the good
fortune to be in his unique presence. He made a
difference.
April 02, 2011
Words about Mr. A ~
the master of words~
Articulate, artistic, benevolent, creative, courageous, curious, dapper, dedicated, dependable, driven, eloquent, gregarious, hilarious, ingenious, mischievous, opinionated, passionate, scholarly, trustworthy, and, saving the best word for last, warmhearted ~ at the very moment when it was least expected. Whether we are still actors or not, what he taught remains with us always. We only hope to do his legacy justice. I love you, Mr. A. Thanks for everything. April 02, 2011
I will always
remember Bentley's "Rose Colored" reading glasses...he said he
liked to see the world through them...and he really did! What a
gift his life was to all those who had the pleasure of spending
time with him.
April 02, 2011
I remember Bentley
Anderson fondly. He was my speech teacher at Virginia Wesleyan,
as well as the director of the play, Blythe Spirit. He taught
"Children's Theater", as well. I remember it so well. His spirit
and energy helped me become the person I am today. My
condolences to his family, and to all of his students (like me)
whose lives were touched by him. Debby (Reynolds) Briscoe VWC
'84
April 02, 2011 Bentley, thank you
so much for getting me started in theatre. I still clearly
remember my first show (which sparked a long passion for acting
and theatre as a whole), "Everyman". If not for you, I would
never have set down the path I did. You will be greatly missed. April 02, 2011
Shirley,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bentley was a wonderful man. ~ Susan Hickman, Virginia Beach April 02, 2011 Dearest Shirley and
family, ~ Ronald and Mary Jean Kledzik, Norfolk, Virginia April 02, 2011 Shirley, April 02, 2011 I am glad I had a chance
to know and work with Bentley. He was always energetic and had a glimmer
of mischievousness that kept you on your toes. He was a good friend,
teacher, and actor. I am glad that his last years of pain and horror are
finally over. My sympathy goes to Shirley, Rosalind and all the family.
Roy White April 02, 2011 I grew up with Bentley and
remember him fondly. I am so sorry to learn of his passing. My
condolences to his family. Harriet (Fulcher) Marshall April 02, 2011 Dear Shirley,
~ Debbie Insley,
Poquoson, Virginia
April 03, 2011
Dear Shirley,
We were saddened to hear of the death of Bentley. You will be in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. Bentley left an outstanding legacy in his service to the the College and Community. We think of you often, please keep in touch. Bob and Carolyn Akers April 03, 2011 |
Our deepest condolences are extended to Mr. Anderson's family, friends, and former students at this difficult time.
This information is also posted here:
http://www.nnhs65.com/SITE-MAP.html
http://www.nnhs65.com/faculty.html
http://www.nnhs65.com/teachers.html
http://www.nnhs65.com/teach-Anderson.html
Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!
Love to all, Carol
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NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE:
http://www.nnhs65.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE:
http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat
==============================================
Carol Buckley
Harty
915-780-3048
Prelude No. 6
Composed by
Frédéric Chopin
(01 Mar 1810 - 17 Oct 1849)
Frederic Chopin's Prelude No. 6 midi courtesy of http://www.mfiles.co.uk/other-funeral.htm - 03/14/06
Greg Olsen Painting courtesy of http://gregolsengallery.com – 02/10/05
Blackwork Flowers Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/12/04
Marine Corps Seal clip art
courtesy of the late
Herbert Hice of MI
- one of my
Famous Marines who served in the South
Pacific during WWII.
Thanks again, Herbie!!
Eagle Scout clip art courtesy of well, I cannot seem to locate that information, but it's been in my files since 06/18/03
