Robert Bob' William Bengtson

Born a Methodist preacher's kid in Sealy, Texas, Bob followed his Dad 'Bill' Bengtson into a career as a local pastor to churches all over Louisiana for 45 years. Bob served in the US Navy during WWII with the Dog-1 team aboard a PMB-5 Mariner plane, Air Sea Rescue. His first day back in the US, he ran into a buddy going off to church camp, an opportunity to meet pretty girls! At church camp, he met a lovely young lady in a red Catalina bathing suit. Bob and Bonnie Jean Ruth Dunbar were married. They transferred from LSU to SMU where Bob completed his theological training. She served beside him during his ministry, sometimes as pianist or Sunday School teacher. The summer church camp program remained one of Bob's special passions during his career. Bob and Bonnie raised five children, Bob bragging on his 'portable congregation'. He was unimpressed by the more formal trappings of the ministry. He would usually introduce himself as 'Bob Bengtson', adding 'pastor of the Methodist church' only if he was acting in his official role. He might be found in his jumpsuit, fixing things at the church or parsonage. He loved to tease and joke with a genuine affection for members of his church family. He enjoyed children and would squat down to smile and chat face to face with his little parishioners. He always carried a pocketful of peppermints. After his retirement Bob continued his service to God and man. He and Bonnie were part of the hospital visitation team, volunteered at the Sager Brown UMCOR facility, and substituted in the pulpits for his fellow pastors. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bonnie Jean Dunbar Bengtson; their children, Karl Bengtson, and Becky Canatella and her husband Raymond of Lafayette; Sharon Bengtson of Independence, LA; Vickie Bengtson of Ramstein, Germany; and Debbie McNeely and her husband Lee of Avinger, TX. Visitation will be at First United Methodist Church of Lafayette, 703 Lee Ave., from 9:00 to 11:30 am Wednesday May 16, 2012. Memorial service will follow immediately in the sanctuary at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Louisiana Methodist Children's Homes. Personal condolences may be sent to the Bengtson family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Robert Bob' William Bengtson

September 29, 1926 - May 8, 2012