November 7, 2023
Tina Behnke Spencer and Howard Heller
The American Rental Association (ARA) remembers these individuals from ARA’s Region Two who served the industry as volunteer leaders.
Tina Behnke Spencer
Behnke Spencer, 59, Winchester, Va., died Aug. 28, 2023. She was the client experience officer with AirPac Rents, Front Royal, Va., a provider of climate control solutions.
Behnke Spencer was active in the ARA of Virginia. She was a member of the ARA of Virginia board of directors from 2017-2020 in a term that included service as board president. Behnke Spencer returned to the board in 2021 and was serving as secretary at the time of her passing.
Behnke Spencer is survived by her husband, Marlin John Spencer; mother, Mary Genevieve Ackermann Behnke; sons, Harrison Arthur Spencer and Redmond Marlin Spencer; sister, Carla Michelle Steele (Robert); brother, Arthur R. Behnke Jr. (Angie); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Howard Heller
Heller, 80, Murray Hill, N.J., died Oct. 7, 2023. He owned M & R Sales, New Providence, N.J., an independent manufacturer representative that serviced equipment and event rental companies across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Heller was a longtime member of the ARA of New Jersey chapter board of directors, serving in a variety of roles — including terms as president — from 1999-2019. At the association’s national level, Heller served as ARA associate member director from 2007-2009. During his term on ARA’s national board, Heller also participated in committees that steered The ARA Show™.
Heller is survived by his wife, Pamela; son, Matt Heller; daughter, Robyn Heller Gelfand; grandchildren, Emily Heller, Hannah Heller, Ben Gelfand, and Eva Gelfand; and sister, Linda Rosenbluth.
