Aaron Bentley

Aaron David Bentley 35, MS, PE, a Mechanical Engineer, passed away unexpectedly on February 11, 2022 in a skiing accident in Utah.

Aaron is remembered by his loving wife Effy Hamon Bentley, daughter Haven, parents Jack & Cindy Bentley, brothers Bryce & Cameron Bentley, nephews Crash & Mack Bentley, Grandma Glenda Lewis, Grandparents David & Betty Lewis, Grandmother Mary Bentley and many cousins, aunts and uncles.  He is preceded in death by Grandmother Lucille Sublette and Grandpa John Bentley.

Aaron was born in Houston, TX and raised in Kansas City, MO. He graduated from Oak Park High School in 2005.  He earned his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree inMechanical Engineering from UMKC in 2010 and 2014respectively.  During his time at UMKC, Aaron single handedly brought back the UMKC Baja Racing team.  He was passionate about the club and took pride in their struggles and successes.  Aaron stayed active with the team and enjoyed being a mentor and judge at Baja SAE events around the country.  This role allowed him to be a recruiter of engineering talents for his employers.

Aaron’s career began with Taylor Cable Products in Grandview, MO.  In 2014, he accepted an engineering position with Peterbilt in Denton, TX. Aaron earned his Professional Engineer license and moved on to Raytheon Technologies in McKinney, TX in 2018.  He soon was chosen to lead a project at their New Mexico location.  In the fall of 2020, Aaron accepted a Senior Principle Engineering Mechanical position with Northrop Grumman in Utah and held the title of Payload Transporter Engineering Lead. Aaron was a very skilled and dedicated engineer and loved being a part of the team.

In Albuquerque, Aaron met Effy, for whom he finalized his transfer with Raytheon so as to stay with her.  They shared a deep connection and profound love for one another.  Aaron and Effy went on many trips together and enjoyed visiting National Parks.  They were married on September 25, 2020in Albuquerque and held another celebration on June 6, 2021 in Yellowstone.  Aaron was a devoted husband and he looked forward to being a great father.

Aaron was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Royals fan.  He loved both watching games at home or at Arrowhead and the K.  He would travel back to KC to attend games each seasonand even attended the team’s victory parades.   He enjoyed the outdoors and shared his love of traveling, camping, hiking, rock climbing, skiing and exercising with Effy.  Aaron loved his family and visited as many as possible during each visit home to KC.  Aaron had a positive impact on all he met.  He was a genuine, beloved and trusted friend.  Aaron will be forever loved and missed dearly by his family, friends and all who knew him.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Friday, March 4 at Terrace Park Funeral Home at 801 NW 108th St in Kansas City, MO.  Visitation at 1:00 pm and service at 2:00 pm.  Reverend Jerry Powell will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in Aaron’s name to the UMKC Baja Racing Team.  Donations may be made online at: www.umkcalumni.com/UMKCBajaRacing