Col. George Nelson Bentley Jr.

KENNEBUNKPORT – Col. George Nelson Bentley Jr., USAF (retired), passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, leaving behind a life filled with service, adventure, and abiding love for his family, country, and community.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on Aug. 9, 1952, George’s life began as it continued, full of grace, opportunity, and curiosity. The son of 1st Lt. George Nelson Bentley and Ruth Lehmann Bentley, George was blessed with a joyful childhood spent living across the world, from France and Spain to Japan and Utah, thanks to his father’s Air Force career. These early experiences shaped his deep appreciation for different cultures and his lifelong passion for travel.

George graduated from Sanford High School in 1970 and went on to earn a B.S. in Finance from Babson College in 1973, where he co-founded his first business, The Dry Dock. He later completed his MBA in Accounting at Pace University in New York. But it was his love of aviation and a deep sense of service that led him to the skies.

Following Officer Training School and flight training, George began a distinguished military career in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve, ultimately retiring as a Colonel. As a C-141 navigator and pilot based out of McGuire AFB, he logged more than 28,000 flight hours, including pivotal missions during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. From 1995 to 2001, George served as a senior duty officer at the U.S. Transportation Command, coordinating global operations with precision and grace. He concluded his military service as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (EPLO) for the State of Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

George was equally accomplished in civilian aviation. He was hired by the trailblazing People Express Airlines in 1982 and quickly rose through the ranks as a Boeing 737 Captain and operations controller, eventually becoming Assistant to the CFO. Later, he co-founded Miami Air International, where he served as both controller and captain. In 2000, George served as Lead Captain for President-Elect George W. Bush’s campaign, flying the future president and his team across the country over a nine-month period.

Despite a globe-spanning career, George’s true compass always pointed home. He was a deeply caring, quietly strong man who prioritized faith, family, and friendship above all else. Whether flying a 737 or reading a newspaper at the kitchen table, George remained grounded in what mattered most. He had the gift of conversation but was always the first to listen. He never rushed to judgment, and his steady presence shaped and inspired all who knew him.

George loved few things more than discovering a new place and making a new friend. His lifelong love of learning through books, travel, and the people he met never dimmed. He cherished time with his children and adored his role as a father.

George is survived by his children, George Nelson Bentley III, Carsten Bentley, Thea Bentley, and Bjorn Bentley; his sisters Eleanor Merrick and Anne Fell (Fred Fell); and by his niece and nephews; countless

friends and colleagues whose lives he touched.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2 Lord St., in Kennebunk. Visitation will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a service with communion from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a reception and lunch to follow.

George’s life was a testament to quiet courage, deep faith, and enduring love. He will be profoundly missed and joyfully remembered.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit George’s Book of Memories Page at http://www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Sweetser, a nonprofit serving mental and behavioral health needs across Maine.