Birth date: Jun 29, 1921 Death date: Sep 15, 2007
Dr. Bruce C. Benward, 86 of Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville, died September 15, 2007. He was born June 29, 1921 in Churubusco, Indiana to the late Charles and Maude Benward. He received his undergraduate and masters deg Read Obituary
Dear Cindy, Tammy and Nadia,
I was truly sorry to hear about your dad from mine. In addition to being one of my finest (and most fun) teachers, he was a great, wonderful man. He was unfailingly kind to me, and, as far as I know, to all others as well. He consistently went out of his way to be helpful and to make those around him feel better. He made the world a better place, and I share in your sense of loss.
Sincerely,
John
Bruce Benward was a wonderful mentor. When I arrived in Madison in 1978, Bruce was buying his first microcomputer and learning his first computer language at age 57. I remember saying to my wife that he represented the kind of life-long learning to which I aspired. He was a wonderful role model to us as an excellent teacher and learner. I also remember that he allowed me to come to his home many times and use his electronic devices he had collected over the years. His remark was "make use of these things. I don't consider them mine, really. They are just under my care." It was an honor to be chosen as his co-author for Ear Training: A Technique for Listening. It has continued to be a wonderful success because of the ground work he created and the freedom he gave me to revise the work appropriately. Helga and I send our sincere condolences to your family. His passing was a great loss to us as professionals and as private individuals. We share in your loss. God bless you all. Timothy Kolosick, School of Music, The University of Arizona. Tucson, AZ 85721
My condolences. Bless you all. Bruce contributed much to the academia world of music here and elsewhere. We share your grief.
Professor Emerita, Ilona Kombrink
We are sorry to be so late in learning of Bruce's passing. What a great life he and Gene lived. Our condolences to all of you and yours. We have many fond memories. Bruce and Gene touched the lives of so many. We are better because we knew them. Bless you all.
Jim Latimer, colleague, UW Madison
MaryJo Biechler Latimer, student adviser, UW Madison
To Family:
I am saddened to hear of Professor Benward's passing. I was a freshman in his theory class and enjoyed his warmth and humor as he presented the subject matter. He didn't let us slough off - he was serious in his teaching. I know he retired soon after that class, and I lost touch. I retain fond memories of those days.
My condolences to you.
Sincerely,
Sheila
Bruce, Gene, and a group of their friends would come in every weekend. I always enjoyed waiting on them, and felt like they were old friends of mine. Bruce was always so kind and always thoughtful. Just a great guy. He will be missed.
I always enjoyed going to Bruce and Gene's home on Hammersley Rd. with all the flower gardens. Gene would call me when it was time for Bruce to get a haircut and I would go and spend a couple of hours sitting and talking to them both. Bruce always had a smile and some funny little joke to tell me. He would scold Gene for not calling me sooner and that his hair was so long he might need a dog collar if I didn't come over soon. It was always great getting their Christmas letter with all the funny stories and updates regarding the family. My thoughts are with all of the family at this time of sorrow in Bruce's passing.
I'm saddened to hear of Bruce's death. During the time we all lived in Madison, we spent many enjoyable hours talking, laughing exploring points-of-view as neighbors and dinner companions, but mostly laughing.
Bruce was a wonderful conversationalist, and his wry sense of humor spiced the conversations of a diverse and talented group of people. I always looked with anticipation to the times we spent together.
The world has lost an enormously talented man, for he truly influenced a broad spectrum of people through his knowledge and applications of music. His work--his joy--will live long after his productive and beneficial life.
I send deep condolences to his family, with a special note to Nadia who lived through the ordeal of babysitting my children, often when we were spending time with her parents.
Bruce was a fine friend and a talented man whose memory and work continues way beyond today and tomorrow.
Cindy, Nadia, and Tammy, I loved Bruce and Gene very much. Bruce and I had a lot of fun in spite of his condition. Gene was a very nice lady and always treated me like a friend. I enjoyed visiting with you when you were here. Thanks for everything. My life has been better for knowing all of you. May God bless you, Joy
Dr. Benward was one of my theory professors at the University of Wiscoinsin where I was pursing my doctorate. He became a friend and mentor, along with his wife Mary. We were privledged to be invited to their home many times where Dr. Benward would entertain and tell great stories. I was in his last graduate class before he retired.
In 2003, soon after I joined the music faculty at the University of Arkansas, I found out that he was at Butterfield Trail and learned of his condition. I always wanted to go see him, but was reluctant. One day I was in the Arvest Bank near Butterfield Trail and I recognized him. He was there with his care taker. At first I started to leave, but then decided to try to speak to him. I asked the woman if it was Bruce and we had a conversation about how I knew him. She looked at him and said in a lound comanding voice, "Bruce, this is a former student of yours." At Arvest, they have candy suckers on the counters and he had one in his mouth. He starred at me with this sucker in his mouth and his eyes twinkled like they always did. The woman tugged on his sucker and eventually got it out of his mouth. I told him my name and he asked me what I was doing now. I told him of my career since leaving UW. He looked in my eyes and put his hand on my cheek and said "I remember your face," and smiled at me. I told him how much he meant to me and what a great influence he had been. He said thank you and put the sucker back in his mouth. His care taker said that it was a remarkable exchange and that she could tell he did remember. It was the last time I saw him.
I am certainly saddened by his passing. His life work in music has literally touched millions. Those of us lucky enough to know and work with him are truely blessed.
May you rest in peace, Bruce. Thank you for being a part of my life.
