Cdr. Robert Edward Bentley

Commander Robert “Bob” E. Bentley, Retired Naval Aviator – age 89 of Cartersville, GA, passed away on February 4, 2025. He was born on September 3, 1935, to the late Meni Rei Hollums Bentley and Edward Jackson Bentley. He is also preceded in death by his brother, John Bentley.

Cdr. Bentley is survived by his wife of 66 years, whom he married June 28, 1958, Barbara Jean Bentley; children, Alisa Jean Finch (Byron) and David Robert Bentley (Allison); grandchildren, William Bentley, Nicole Bentley, Megan Gannon, Taylor Gannon, Joshua Mayor (Jennifer) and Tyler Gannon; great-grandchildren, Zachary Mayor, Katelyn Mayor, Audrey Marlow, and Max Marlow; sister, Karen Rhodes (Dennis)

Cdr. Bentley, USN (Ret) enjoyed a career of 22 years as an active Naval Aviator. His interest in aviation seemed to have begun at a very young age. While vacationing with his parents near an airport his love of flying grew after watching planes take off and land. As a teen, he joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). After graduating from Grady High School, Bob attended North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA where he learned of the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program and subsequently joined the Navy in 1955. He received his “Wings of Gold” upon completion of Advanced Training in Hutchinson, KA.

While Cdr. Bentley was proficient in 22 different aircrafts during his Naval career, his primary duties were in air surveillance. He participated in flying Super Constellation in the North Atlantic Barrier, a P5M during the Cuban Missile Crisis and a P3 Orion during the Vietnam War. He had 11 permanent changes of duty during his 22-year career. Upon his Naval retirement, Cdr. Bentley became the Naval Science Instructor at North Cobb High School leading NJROTC Cadets.

When a unique community foundation was being formed in Cartersville, GA, designed to encourage and aid local high school students on their path to post-secondary education, Cdr. Bentley saw this as an important opportunity to become more involved in his local community. He was named the first Executive Director of the Etowah Education Foundation, a position he held for 20 years. During his tenure, he guided the organization from its fledgling beginnings to state wide affirmation and recognition. An anonymous donor and philanthropist funded the foundation and offered unwavering financial and moral support. The Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, GA named its Planetarium in his honor: Cdr. Robert E. Bentley, USN (Ret) Planetarium.

Cdr. Bentley was a founding member of Heritage Baptist Church in Cartersville. The church formed in 1987 and he was a leader of the group that established the new congregation. He held many leadership roles as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher and remained an active member that loved his church and all the members.

Gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, beginning at 9am, with a Celebration of Cdr. Bentley’s life at 11am at Heritage Baptist Church, 1070 Douthit Ferry Rd, Cartersville, GA 30120. He will be buried on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, with Naval Military Honors at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Robert Bentley Scholarship Fund, C/O The Etowah Foundation, PO Box 1239, Cartersville, GA 30120 or https://www.etowah.org/scholarships.html