Francis Lawton "Skeets" Bentzen, 89, of Idaho Falls died November 2, 2009, at his home. He was born February 19, 1920, in New York City, New York, to Carl Bentzen and Phyllis Lawton Bentzen. He grew up and attended schools in Neptune City, New Jersey. In 1938, he graduated from Neptune High School. He attended King's College and the University of New Mexico where he earned a Bachelor of Science and Master's degree in physics. On September 12, 1942, he married Kathryn "Kay" Begeal in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey. Skeets was a nuclear physicist at the I.N.L. for 30 years from 1954-1985, and prior to that, he worked on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, New Mexico. He was an active member and Deacon of the Calvary Baptist Church in Idaho Falls. Skeets loved traveling, hiking, skiing, camping and nature. He was passionate about electronics, computers, music, and photography. Skeets was an honest man, a committed Christian, devoted to his wife and family, a faithful friend and innately a scientist. He is survived by the following: spouse, Kathryn "Kay" Bentzen of Idaho Falls; sons: Keith Lawton (Kaye) Bentzen of Arvada, Colorado, and Craig Leigh (Sharon) Bentzen of Geneva, Switzerland;grandsons: Chris (Anna) Bentzen of Reno, NV; Brady (Molly) Bentzen of Santee, CA; Daniel Bentzen of Idaho Falls; Blake (Corinne), Elliot and Ian Bentzen all of Geneva, Switzerland;granddaughter, Amy (Craig) Burchette-Smith of Houston, TX; and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Phyllis Klein, and a son, Gary Wade Bentzen. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009, at the Calvary Baptist Church, 785 First St., Idaho Falls with Billy Legler officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Salvation Army, 605 N. Blvd; Idaho Falls, ID 83402, in remembrance of Skeets Bentzen. Arrangements are under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., Idaho Falls. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com