George E. Bench III

George E. Bench III, age 80, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026. He was born on May 21, 1946, and lived a life defined by unwavering dedication to his family, a love for the outdoors, and a willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. George is survived by his beloved wife, Sue Bench, whose love story began while the two were attending Ferris State University. George was the president of his fraternity, and what started as a college romance grew into a lifetime of love, partnership, and cherished memories. He was the proud and devoted father of Amy (Dave) Scott, Laura (Cass) Przybylski, and Tom (Julie) Bench. Nothing brought George greater joy than being a grandpa to Kaline, Ella, Grady, Graham, Easton, and Brooks. Whether cheering them on from the sidelines at sporting events, sharing stories, or simply spending time together, his grandchildren were among his greatest blessings. George is also survived by his sisters, Carol (John) Kosmatka and Lori (Dale) Kerchen; his lifelong best friend, Karl Kennaugh; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Bench II and Louise Bench Wohlart and by his first-born son, Jeffrey Bench, who passed away at two years old. George never hesitated to help others. He always had an opinion, and more importantly, he always had a solution, whether you wanted to hear it or not. He had a strong personality and had no problem telling you what's on his mind. Family and friends knew they could count on him for advice, encouragement, and a willingness to tackle any problem alongside them. He was an avid outdoorsman whose greatest passion was hunting, a lifelong interest inspired by the legendary Fred Bear. He felt most at home in the outdoors, especially in the beauty of Michigan and his frequent visits to the Mackinac Bridge. George was known for his impressive hat collection and his remarkable ability to build just about anything. Professionally, George dedicated 35 years as an insurance adjuster with AAA, where he was respected for his integrity, hard work, and commitment to helping others during difficult times. Beyond his career, George generously gave his time coaching youth sports, leaving a lasting impression on countless young athletes. He was a devoted fan of Detroit sports, faithfully cheering on his favorite hometown teams through every season. Above all else, George will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, loyal friend, trusted mentor, and dependable neighbor. His wisdom, generosity, humor, strong work ethic, and love for family will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the lives he touched, and the countless memories he shared. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. George's family invites everyone to a celebration of life gathering that will be held on August 23, 2026, from 2-6pm at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Ave. Rochester, MI 48307.

George E. Bench III

May 21, 1946 - July 19, 2026