Nicholas "Nick" Bentzien was a kind, curious, wonderfully generous young man with an intense love for music. Nick loved making and sharing music with others, always finding ways to support budding musicians around him. He was gifted with an incredibly wide range of musical talents and interests, including almost perfect pitch, and played trumpet, piano, drums, cymbals, percussion, guitar, ukulele, choir and solo vocals, and most recently was teaching himself clarinet. The breadth of genres he enjoyed and participated in was equally impressive including everything from jazz, pop and rap to a full classical repertoire and gospel hymns.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Nicholas Wiesen Bentzien Musicianship Fund. As Nick so generously did in life, this fund will support varying needs of music students, including the purchase of starter instruments, sheet music, teaching costs, and program tuition. Please help us to allow him to continue to make a difference by bringing the joy of music to children.

Nicholas was a light to all who came across him. His family, friends, and community will miss his music and joyous spirit dearly.