V. Stanley Benfell poses for a photo. Benfell was killed in a bike accident on the morning of Sept. 7. (Courtesy of Instagram/@byukennedycenter)
Funeral services were held on Sept. 12 for Vincent Stanley Benfell III, director of the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies.Benfell passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Sept. 7 after being struck by a car while biking at the intersection of Lakeview Parkway and University Avenue in Provo. He was 63.“Stan was deeply admired, loved and respected,” the Kennedy Center said in an Instagram post. “He always had an open door and loved to listen to and learn from students, colleagues and friends. His academic, interpersonal and spiritual strengths led and shaped the Kennedy Center in lasting ways.”Benfell’s sister, Kathy, spoke at the funeral. She shared about Benfell’s experience studying abroad in London as a student, and how that experience came full circle when he worked at BYU’s London Centre.“His time in England — especially with his family — were some of his most treasured memories,” Kathy Benfell said. “We will miss his deep but uncloistered faith, his eloquence and his keen sense of humor. Most of all, we will miss his fundamental goodness, his love and his friendship.”Many students and colleagues, both past and present, took to social media to extend their condolences and share personal memories about Benfell.Katie Stewart was one of Benfell’s former students who commented online. She shared memories on social media and attended Benfell’s funeral.“The chapel was packed. It was full of friends and family of every age,” Stewart said. “So many of us were laughing through our tears. It was an emotional time, of course, but really wonderful to remember good and happy times.”Stewart, who graduated from BYU in 2011, studied abroad at the BYU London Centre with Benfell and his family during the fall of 2008.Stewart said Benfell’s classes were “rigorous and demanding,” but equally “rich and rewarding.” One of her favorite memories from the semester came from a day trip to Canterbury. As the students and faculty pulled in, Benfell stood at the front of the bus and recited the prologue of "The Canterbury Tales" to the students in Middle English. “He was so humble, and just kind and loving and considerate to everyone. But you knew you were with an intellectual giant," Stewart said.
Students walk outside the Herald R. Clark Building, home to the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies. Benfell worked as the director of the Kennedy Center at the time of his passing. (Hailey Sloan)
George Handley, global environmental studies coordinator at the Kennedy Center and friend of Benfell, also spoke at the funeral. He told stories of Benfell’s love for learning, literature, art, his family and his faith.“I think death teaches that the measure of our life will be the love we inspire,” Handley said. “And by that measure, of course, Stan was pretty amazing.”Benfell graduated from BYU with a B.A. in comparative literature in 1987. He went on to receive his M.A. and P.h.D. degrees from New York University, then began his career at BYU in 1993 teaching comparative literature classes. Benfell served as the director of the Kennedy Center from 2021 until his passing.Benfell's obituary can be found here.
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