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J. Marvin Bentley Jr.
July 10, 1938 ~ May 19, 2017 (age 78) 78 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from James Ziegenfuss, Jr.
June 1, 2017 1:56 PM
Marvin Bentley, a Remembrance
May 30, 2017
On this sad occasion I am remembering my colleague and friend of several decades, Marvin Bentley. I recruited him to join our graduate program in Public Administration to focus on the economics and financing of health care. Our program specialty had grown quite large – I was delighted to have a fellow University of Pennsylvania academic join us in the late 1980s. With his help the student interest grew, leading us to co-found a separate graduate program in health administration. Marvin was a key faculty member, using a fellowship year at Johns Hopkins to deepen his knowledge of health care finance.
Our students were predominantly adults in mid career, average age 37 – both experienced and assertive in class. Marvin had great rapport with them while teaching the “money” side of health care, an intimidating and discomforting topic for clinical service providers such as physicians and nurses. He offered support and patience in what was clearly rewarding work for him.
We spent many lunches discussing the need for health care reform – lunches beginning in the 1980s - only to find that reform was still needed as we both retired. We had the chance to work with Penn State Medical School colleagues, publishing papers on cost control, quality management and physician training . And, we talked at lunch about our families. He was much in love with his wife and very proud of his son and daughter.
Last, I would be remiss if I did not mention his longstanding attachment to golf. We played several times – but he was really good, me not so. He did convince me to get an Augusta National Golf Screen Saver for my computer – the “greens were the most beautiful in the country” he said – I agreed.
I am glad to have known Marvin – a great colleague and warm, good friend. He will be missed by me and by his many grateful students. James Ziegenfuss
May 30, 2017
On this sad occasion I am remembering my colleague and friend of several decades, Marvin Bentley. I recruited him to join our graduate program in Public Administration to focus on the economics and financing of health care. Our program specialty had grown quite large – I was delighted to have a fellow University of Pennsylvania academic join us in the late 1980s. With his help the student interest grew, leading us to co-found a separate graduate program in health administration. Marvin was a key faculty member, using a fellowship year at Johns Hopkins to deepen his knowledge of health care finance.
Our students were predominantly adults in mid career, average age 37 – both experienced and assertive in class. Marvin had great rapport with them while teaching the “money” side of health care, an intimidating and discomforting topic for clinical service providers such as physicians and nurses. He offered support and patience in what was clearly rewarding work for him.
We spent many lunches discussing the need for health care reform – lunches beginning in the 1980s - only to find that reform was still needed as we both retired. We had the chance to work with Penn State Medical School colleagues, publishing papers on cost control, quality management and physician training . And, we talked at lunch about our families. He was much in love with his wife and very proud of his son and daughter.
Last, I would be remiss if I did not mention his longstanding attachment to golf. We played several times – but he was really good, me not so. He did convince me to get an Augusta National Golf Screen Saver for my computer – the “greens were the most beautiful in the country” he said – I agreed.
I am glad to have known Marvin – a great colleague and warm, good friend. He will be missed by me and by his many grateful students. James Ziegenfuss
Message from Judd Mellinger-Blouch
May 31, 2017 10:41 AM
My condolences on Dr. Bentley's passing. He was a great professor at Penn State and a wonderful advisor. Knowing that my talents lie with storytelling, Dr. Bentley encouraged me to write three vignettes for my master's thesis rather than do a bunch of number crunching. It proved to be an invaluable experience. He got to know me as a person and not just a student, and so he made the best recommendation.
Message from Edith Wasden Schwartz
May 30, 2017 5:37 PM
The Bentleys were my neighbors growing up in Macon and because Marvin and I were the same age, we played together as children. I have a picture of him in my back yard at an early age. They moved to Atlanta for a short time and my mother took me up there to visit them. He was fun even as a boy and a great part of our neighborhood "gang". His sister, Gail, wrote a book about Oak Haven Avenue and the fun times we all shared there. I was often in the Bentley's home and knew each of the family well - including his dear parents. I attended Randolph -Macon College in Va. and Marvin, being at Davidson invited me down for a weekend there. We were never romantically involved - just always dear friends. I saw Marvin last at a high school reunion 3 or 4 years ago, and although his memory was fading a little, he still had that infectiousness smile and greeted me in his friendly, sweet way. I remember him and his whole Macon family with such fondness and delight that I was a part of their lives for that brief span of time. Sending sympathy to those that loved him too, Edith Schwartz
A candle was lit by Goktug Morcol
on May 30, 2017 5:05 PM
Message from Goktug Morcol
May 30, 2017 5:04 PM
Marvin Bentley is one of the kindest and gentlest people I have known. I met him when I began teaching at Penn State Harrisburg. He retired soon after I began teaching there. We did not have a long time to get to know each other, but it did not take me long to feel his kindness.
I remember our conversations about Southern manners. He was born in Georgia and I lived there for a decade. He was happy to make the observation, and told me, that I had picked up some of those manners. I wish I had more time to talk about his observations and his experiences in his home state.
I also regret that I have not been able to keep my promise to go to a Phillies game with him. Next time I go to a ball game I will remember Marvin.
My condolences to his family.
Goktug Morcol
I remember our conversations about Southern manners. He was born in Georgia and I lived there for a decade. He was happy to make the observation, and told me, that I had picked up some of those manners. I wish I had more time to talk about his observations and his experiences in his home state.
I also regret that I have not been able to keep my promise to go to a Phillies game with him. Next time I go to a ball game I will remember Marvin.
My condolences to his family.
Goktug Morcol
Message from Hummelstown, PA
May 30, 2017 4:17 PM
J. Marvin was my Econ professor at PSU - Harrisburg. I hated Econ, but loved J. Marvin. His references of Valdosta, GA are as vivid today as they were when I was sitting in the front row of his class trying to figure out why I needed to know economics!
His smile was infectious, his sense of humor delightful, and his love of teaching very evident. What a loss to the world of academics.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Brenda Pera BS '94 MPA '97
Hummelstown, PA
His smile was infectious, his sense of humor delightful, and his love of teaching very evident. What a loss to the world of academics.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Brenda Pera BS '94 MPA '97
Hummelstown, PA
Message from Harold & Teresa Majors
May 26, 2017 11:55 AM
So sorry to hear of our loss. Marvin was a special person to all of us. My father always loved to visit with Marvin when your family was with us. May God's peace be with you Ann and all of your family.
Message from The Smith family cousins
May 24, 2017 11:03 AM
Anna, Patrick and Meg, Please know your Smith family cousins are praying for you
during this difficult in the death of dear Marvin. We will continue to pray for you in
the days ahead.
during this difficult in the death of dear Marvin. We will continue to pray for you in
the days ahead.
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