In Memory TERRY BENGARD
Terry Bengard, age 78, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2019, following a long and courageous battle with blood cancer. She spent her last days on the ranch in Salinas where she grew up and raised her family with her husband, Tom. While at home, Terry was surrounded by her loving family and friend, Joanne Tregenza. Born on Feb. 4, 1941 to Arthur and Marie Sconberg in Salinas, Terry and her brother Bruce grew up on Lorimer Street, and it was there that she made numerous lifelong friends. The family spent weekends and summers riding horses, hunting and enjoying the outdoors on her grandfather James Bardin’s ranch just outside of town. She looked back on her childhood fondly and had many wonderful stories to tell. Terry was active in 4-H, where she raised and showed livestock, and a member of the Monterey County Junior Horsemen. She loved the California Rodeo and she never missed a performance. Terry attended Roosevelt Elementary, Washington Junior High and graduated from Salinas Union High School in 1958. She started UC Davis that fall, where she met her partner in life, Tom Bengard. Tom and Terry were married on March 5, 1959. Terry was a wonderful wife and a faithful companion to Tom for over 60 years. The two spent their life building a large and diversified agricultural operation that included row crops, orchards and cattle. The Bengards acquired many ranches throughout the west to farm and run cattle on. Everywhere they went, they became part of the community and supported local causes. Terry had a deep appreciation for the land and respect for animals. Her true passion in life was animal husbandry, first raising sheep and later beef cattle. She became an expert in animal health and genetics. Terry had a very active role in running their cattle business and she was well known and respected in the cattle industry. Nearly every ranch that the Bengards acquired came with an old house that was in need of repair. Terry immersed herself in these remodeling projects, lovingly restoring and decorating each home with unique and special antique store finds. She was proud of her ranch houses in Quincy, Red Bluff, Cottonwood, Burney, Taylorsville and Klamath Falls. She and Tom would travel from place to place throughout the year, catching up with employees, checking on their cattle and visiting with the many friends that they made along the way. Terry most enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren at these special places where so many cherished memories were made. Cooking and entertaining were among Terry’s many talents. Upon entering her home, Terry’s kindness and generosity could be felt by all. She and Tom hosted numerous fundraisers and charitable events at the Hartnell Ranch in Salinas. The parties that the Bengards had during the rodeo and after brandings were especially memorable. She was very fond of the western 116 California Cattleman July • August 2019
way of life, and the hospitality that she extended to her guests was legendary. In turn, she never passed up an invitation to a costume party, loving to get herself and Tom all dressed up and joke around with their friends. Terry loved the holidays most of all. This is when she went all-out decorating her home and preparing delicious meals for her family and friends to enjoy. The memories and traditions that she passed down will be with her family forever. Terry’s family was always the center of her life. She and Tom have three children, Bardin, Tracy and Tom. She instilled her love of farming and ranching in each of them from an early age, and enjoyed having her kids involved in the family business so she could spend more time with them and their children. To her 10 grandchildren Terry was their most devoted fan, attending countless fairs, rodeos, horse shows, music recitals, graduations, baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse and soccer games. Terry has been involved in many organizations throughout her life. She was a member of the Cattlewomen’s Associations in Tehama, Shasta, and San Benito, as well as Monterey County, where she served on the board for many years. She was a member of California Women for Agriculture and the California Wool Growers Association. Terry served on the Board of the Monterey County SPCA and was a founding member of P.A.W.S. In 2007, Bengard Ranch was chosen as CBCIA’s Commercial Producer of the Year and she was the Monterey County Cattlewoman of the Year in 2012. In 2018, she and Tom were honored at the Valley of the World event for their life-long contributions to their community. Terry would be the first to tell you that she had a wonderful life. She grew up during a great time in history and the opportunities were endless. She married a man who shared her passion for agriculture and supported her dreams. She had three children that she was proud of. She made countless friends throughout her lifetime and kept them close. She and Tom had many employees over the years that were like family to her and she was grateful for their help and service. Terry loved her animals, especially her dogs and her horses, and she had many good ones over the years. Widely described as a “classy lady,” Terry will be missed by her family, friends, employees, pets and everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her. Terry was preceded in death by her father and mother, Arthur and Marie Sconberg and her brother, Bruce Sconberg. She is survived by her husband Tom and her three children, Bardin (Pam) Bengard, Tracy (Paul) Pezzini and Tom (Louise) Bengard, all of Salinas. She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren, Bridget (Chris) Rotticci, Bardin (Stephanie) Bengard, Sarah Bengard, Christian Bengard, Haley Pezzini, Wesley Pezzini, Michael Bengard, Jamie Bengard, Owen Bengard and Nick Bengard, and four great grand-children, Blair and Walter Rotticci and Penelope and Daphne Bengard. A private family service will be held at the ranch. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Terry’s memory to your favorite charity supporting youth in agriculture, providing for the welfare of pets, or promoting agriculture in the State of California.