Frederick Bentz

Frederick Jacob Bentz Minneapolis, Age 96, Born 11-26-1922, Died 12-13-2018
Fred was preceded in death by his devoted parents Fred and Ethel Bentz, his wife Ann, and his sisters Shirley Green and Marcy McCarthy. He is survived by daughter Mariann Bentz (William Burleson), son John Bentz, and nieces and nephews.
Fred was born in McGregor, Iowa. He grew up in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, where he was active in debate and music as a violinist. Starting at age thirteen, he played violin in the Wisconsin All-State Orchestra in Madison for three years. He graduated high school in 1939 as co-valedictorian and then spent two years at the Eastman School of Music on a George Eastman scholarship. In 1941 he enrolled in the University of Minnesota School of Architecture, leaving after two years to enter the Army. He served as staff sergeant in the 70th Trailblazer Infantry Division. Following a training injury, he was transferred to limited service as an administrative NCO in German Prisoner of War Camps in Iowa and Missouri. He was subsequently assigned as an administrative head of the Graphic Arts Department and Instructor in Architectural Drafting at Camp Carson Convalescent Hospital, a program established for wounded servicemen during their recovery and rehabilitation.
In 1946 Fred returned to the University of Minnesota on the G.I. Bill and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Architecture with Distinction, receiving the American Institute of Architects Medal.
He began his career with Long and Thorshov, subsequently Thorshov and Cerny, where he met Ann Ronning. They were married in 1957. The firm continued as the Cerny Associates, Fred served as a senior vice president and principal on national award-winning projects including Brunswick Methodist Church, two early skyways in Minneapolis, and a high school in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, his hometown. In 1971 he co-founded Bentz Thompson Rietow with Milo Thompson and Robert Rietow. At the time of his retirement in 1994, the firm had received forty awards and citations for excellence in design. Dayton's and Dayton Hudson properties were long-time clients, starting with an association with Victor Gruen at Ridgedale and Rosedale and continuing as architects of record for stores in St. Cloud, Grand Forks, Sioux Falls, La Crosse, Burnsville, the Edina Home Store and the new stores at Rosedale and Southdale. Most important to his family, however, was the house he built early in his career in the woods of Nekoosa with and for his parents. Many hours of family enjoyment were spent there.
Fred was elevated to Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects in 1971. In 1996 he was awarded AIA Minnesota's highest award, the Gold Medal, recognizing his contributions in design, professional service and community involvement. In 2007 he established a graduate fellowship in architecture at the University of Minnesota College of Design, and he and Ann sponsored a named studio at Rapson Hall.
He served on three state boards, The Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design, the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority, and the Minnesota State Designer Selection Board. The latter passed into law in 1974 during his term as president of the Minnesota Society of Architects. In 2016, Fred participated in an oral history project sponsored by the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians featuring post-WWII architects making a significant contribution to modern architecture.
Fred was a member of Christ Church Lutheran since 1957 and served on the endowment, property and preservation committees. For six years he was on the LCMS Commission on Architecture, counseling congregations in a four-state area on planning and architect selection.
Following retirement, Fred resumed his violin studies, and he and Ann enjoyed traveling. He was an avid Gopher and Vikings football fan, yet he also reveled in the music of the Minnesota Orchestra and Accordo. He will be remembered for his love of wordplay, wry sense of humor, endless curiosity and the ability to make new friends until the end. The family wishes to thank the staff and all his friends at the Kenwood Retirement Community for their care and friendship.
Visitation at Bradshaw, 3131 Minnehaha Avenue South, Minneapolis on Friday, January 11, 2019, 5-7 p.m. Visitation at Christ Church Lutheran, 3244 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis on Saturday, January 12, 10-11 a.m., service following at 11.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Christ Church Lutheran Endowment Fund or donor's choice. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.