Irving O. Bentsen '54 was born in Brooklyn, NY, on September 23, 1927, the son
of Otman and Aline Pedersen Bentsen who came from Norway. After an accident
at age fourteen led to blindness, he enrolled at the New York Institute
for the Education of the Blind, graduating in 1950. That fall he entered
Hobart, where he was elected to Phi Bet Kappa in his junior year, and as
a senior, was tapped as a Druid. He graduated cum laude with a BA in Mathematics
in 1954. The following year he married Jane Hoose, William Smith '54. They
have two sons, James and Eric.
Dr. Bentsen received his Master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Rochester in 1956, and served as an Instructor of Mathematics at Hobart and William Smith, 1956-1958. He then studied at Rutgers University, 1958-1964. Awarded his Ph.D.in 1965, Professor Bentsen taught at the University of Vermont, 1964-1966. Dr. Bentsen returned to the Colleges as Assistant Professor in 1966, became an Associate Professor in 1970, and a Full Professor in 1976. When he retired in June 1991, the Board of Trustees named him Professor Emeritus.
Professor Bentsen's published research included a study on Abstract Partial Difference Algebra. He enjoyed teaching all mathematics courses, but especially Abstract Algebra, Number Theory, Topology, and Post-Calculus Probability. Highly regarded as a dedicated
and enthusiastic teacher, a former student commented, "Dr. I. O. Bentsen was the most effective teacher I had at Hobart." Students responded to his love of mathematics and stretched to meet his high expectations. He was always accessible, giving generously of his time and energy. Students appreciated his fairness, his patience, and good nature, adjusting readily to his classroom style, participating actively in the solving of problems and development of proofs. He would say everything he wrote on the board, which paced his presentation and helped in taking notes. A former student says, "Dr. Bentsen...not only sees, but gives sight to others." He was awarded an Alumni Association Citation in 1979 as an "outstanding scholar" and "revered teacher."
Dr. Bentsen served the College community with the same energy, enthusiasm and attention to detail characteristic of his teaching. The Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science for seven years, he also served on many faculty committees, one of which improved the faculty retirement plan. He was awarded the Faculty Community Service Award in 1981 in recognition of, "his judgment and fairness on all his numerous committee assignments...the inspiration he provides for all of us." He served as president of Zeta of New York, Phi Beta Kappa, and as the first president of the Druid Society when it returned to campus in 1981.
Richard Peller '71, in the dedication for his calculus book, wrote,
Dr. Bentsen served to help me appreciate the beauty of mathematics, to view its richness, and to understand that new results are discovered and not invented. The patience and time that he gave me while I was studying with him in college was significant, and its effects long-lasting. He is generous, sincere and creative.
With his character, teaching, leadership, and loyalty to the Colleges, Professor Bentsen has touched, and been an inspiration to Hobart and William Smith students, his colleagues, and his community.