Richard
Richard W. Bennett
Richard (Dick) Bennett, 85, of Alamo, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, following a short battle with cancer. A United States Marine Corps veteran, Dick took great pride in his faith in God, and his love of country, family, and community.
Dick grew up in Mulberry, Indiana, and joined the Marine Corps after high school, serving as a telegraph operator. He then attended Purdue University and, after graduation, set off on a career as an aviation maintenance professional. He also became a private pilot.
Dick and wife Susan married in 1975, bringing together two families with five children: Rita, Mike, and Brian Bennett, and Chris and Cory Olsen. Their devotion to each other paired with the importance of keeping family close, served them well for over 47 years of marriage. Dick’s face lit up whenever he saw his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and listened to their stories. Dick was proud to serve as a commissioned Stephen Minister, and as Elder during his time as a member at Lakeland Reformed Church in Vicksburg.
He dedicated 35 years working for The Upjohn Company, and during this time worked as an advisor with Purdue University to embolden their aviation maintenance curriculum. He was a recipient of the coveted Upjohn Award, Cessna’s Vern Lowe Award, and the Joe Chase 50 years in Aviation Maintenance award presented by the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), in which he was an active member.
Bennett continued to work in aviation for his first few years of retirement as a maintenance and logistics consultant for Kalamazoo-based companies, but soon turned his passion for volunteering toward Alamo Township, his place of residence since 1991.
Soon the township planning commission came calling and brought with it many projects to focus on. During that time, he added park ranger, park board member, and election board member to his list of duties. Bennett formed strong friendships with township neighbors, which led to the creation of The Alamo Foundation, of which he served as the founding treasurer. The foundation continues to pride itself on helping with the unmet needs of township residents and projects.
A lifelong hunter, Bennett shared his love of the outdoors and whitetail deer hunting with his children and grandchildren. Many hours were spent in the fields and woods of West Michigan, with evenings around the dining room table discussing wind direction, scent, and tips to ensure that shots of only the highest percentages would be taken. His keen attention to detail and passion for sharing decades of experience led him to partner with the Michigan DNR as a Hunter’s Safety Instructor.
Richard was preceded in death by son, Brian Bennett in 1982; father, John William Bennett in WWII; and mother and stepfather, Louella and Harold Stewart. He is survived by his wife Susan Bennett; children Rita Robertson (Jim), Michael Bennett (Jill), Chris Olsen (Amanda), and Cory Olsen (Cherie); brothers Robert Bennett (Carol), and James Stewart (Faith); and sister Rosemary Dyer (Todd); grandchildren Korbin, Collyn (Maggie), and Gavin Bennett, Sawyer and Trent Olsen, Emmelia, Jacob, and Gabriella Olsen; great-grandchildren Mateo Olsen and Banks Bennett; many special nieces and nephews; and former wife Mary Barbee.
Friends may visit with Dick’s family from 6-8 PM, Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where a funeral service will take place at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, November 8, 2023, with Pastor Jason Olson officiating.
Burial will take place at 2:00 P.M., at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made to
The Alamo Foundation
(thealamofoundation.com) or
Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo
(centricacare.org).
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Richard W. Bennett
Condolence Messages
BILL VANDEN BROEK
November 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm
SORRY TO LEARN OF DICK’S PASSING. HE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSIONATE GENTLEMAN TO WORK WITH AND REPORT TO.
Reply
Jill Walther
November 4, 2023 at 7:21 pm
Reading this obituary reminded me of what a fantastic man and amazing life Mr. Bennett led. Your fabulous children and family are representative of the great parents they have been fortunate to have. Praying for your family. Many blessings.
Love, the Walthers
Reply
Sue
November 18, 2023 at 10:39 am
What a beautiful note! Thank you,
Reply
Bill & Lora Layton
November 5, 2023 at 10:35 am
Our sincere sympathy to the Bennett Family. Bill tells the story of when they were boys out riding in the Bennett Model A (which could be steered with vice grips) driving it down the creek road. Something was said and Dick said if you don’t like my driving, “Here” and he handed over the steering wheel. I guess Bob & Carol were with him. Carol fainted and every time she came to and saw Dick, she would pass out again. I’m getting this story 2nd hand; so not sure if it was Dick or Bob driving at the time. Bill is 85 and his memory gets stories turned around sometimes!
Reply
Schimp Family Dentistry
November 7, 2023 at 8:07 am
Sending all our thoughts and prayers.
Reply
Lee Dial
November 11, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Sue and family, We were so sorry to hear of your sad loss. Our thoughts are with you. With caring and sympathy, Lee (and Tracy) Dial.
Reply
Susan Bennett
December 5, 2023 at 12:44 am
How nice of you, Lee.
Reply
Bradley K Houck
November 22, 2023 at 11:12 am
Dear Sue and all the Bennett family, please accept our deepest sympathies on Dick’s passing. I will always remember him in the hangar in his white lab coat (embroidered “Jet Surgeon”- so true!) or behind his desk in shirt and tie doing what he did so well, elevating the stature of maintenance technicians and their professionalism within the industry.
His family and faith meant so much to him and it showed in the way he lived his life. That smile, laugh and friendship of his are missed by many.
Brad and Nancy Houck
Reply
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Dick grew up in Mulberry, Indiana, and joined the Marine Corps after high school, serving as a telegraph operator. He then attended Purdue University and, after graduation, set off on a career as an aviation maintenance professional. He also became a private pilot.
Dick and wife Susan married in 1975, bringing together two families with five children: Rita, Mike, and Brian Bennett, and Chris and Cory Olsen. Their devotion to each other paired with the importance of keeping family close, served them well for over 47 years of marriage. Dick’s face lit up whenever he saw his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and listened to their stories. Dick was proud to serve as a commissioned Stephen Minister, and as Elder during his time as a member at Lakeland Reformed Church in Vicksburg.
He dedicated 35 years working for The Upjohn Company, and during this time worked as an advisor with Purdue University to embolden their aviation maintenance curriculum. He was a recipient of the coveted Upjohn Award, Cessna’s Vern Lowe Award, and the Joe Chase 50 years in Aviation Maintenance award presented by the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), in which he was an active member.
Bennett continued to work in aviation for his first few years of retirement as a maintenance and logistics consultant for Kalamazoo-based companies, but soon turned his passion for volunteering toward Alamo Township, his place of residence since 1991.
Soon the township planning commission came calling and brought with it many projects to focus on. During that time, he added park ranger, park board member, and election board member to his list of duties. Bennett formed strong friendships with township neighbors, which led to the creation of The Alamo Foundation, of which he served as the founding treasurer. The foundation continues to pride itself on helping with the unmet needs of township residents and projects.
A lifelong hunter, Bennett shared his love of the outdoors and whitetail deer hunting with his children and grandchildren. Many hours were spent in the fields and woods of West Michigan, with evenings around the dining room table discussing wind direction, scent, and tips to ensure that shots of only the highest percentages would be taken. His keen attention to detail and passion for sharing decades of experience led him to partner with the Michigan DNR as a Hunter’s Safety Instructor.
Richard was preceded in death by son, Brian Bennett in 1982; father, John William Bennett in WWII; and mother and stepfather, Louella and Harold Stewart. He is survived by his wife Susan Bennett; children Rita Robertson (Jim), Michael Bennett (Jill), Chris Olsen (Amanda), and Cory Olsen (Cherie); brothers Robert Bennett (Carol), and James Stewart (Faith); and sister Rosemary Dyer (Todd); grandchildren Korbin, Collyn (Maggie), and Gavin Bennett, Sawyer and Trent Olsen, Emmelia, Jacob, and Gabriella Olsen; great-grandchildren Mateo Olsen and Banks Bennett; many special nieces and nephews; and former wife Mary Barbee.
Friends may visit with Dick’s family from 6-8 PM, Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where a funeral service will take place at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, November 8, 2023, with Pastor Jason Olson officiating.
Burial will take place at 2:00 P.M., at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made to
The Alamo Foundation
(thealamofoundation.com) or
Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo
(centricacare.org).
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Richard W. Bennett
Condolence Messages
BILL VANDEN BROEK
November 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm
SORRY TO LEARN OF DICK’S PASSING. HE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSIONATE GENTLEMAN TO WORK WITH AND REPORT TO.
Reply
Jill Walther
November 4, 2023 at 7:21 pm
Reading this obituary reminded me of what a fantastic man and amazing life Mr. Bennett led. Your fabulous children and family are representative of the great parents they have been fortunate to have. Praying for your family. Many blessings.
Love, the Walthers
Reply
Sue
November 18, 2023 at 10:39 am
What a beautiful note! Thank you,
Reply
Bill & Lora Layton
November 5, 2023 at 10:35 am
Our sincere sympathy to the Bennett Family. Bill tells the story of when they were boys out riding in the Bennett Model A (which could be steered with vice grips) driving it down the creek road. Something was said and Dick said if you don’t like my driving, “Here” and he handed over the steering wheel. I guess Bob & Carol were with him. Carol fainted and every time she came to and saw Dick, she would pass out again. I’m getting this story 2nd hand; so not sure if it was Dick or Bob driving at the time. Bill is 85 and his memory gets stories turned around sometimes!
Reply
Schimp Family Dentistry
November 7, 2023 at 8:07 am
Sending all our thoughts and prayers.
Reply
Lee Dial
November 11, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Sue and family, We were so sorry to hear of your sad loss. Our thoughts are with you. With caring and sympathy, Lee (and Tracy) Dial.
Reply
Susan Bennett
December 5, 2023 at 12:44 am
How nice of you, Lee.
Reply
Bradley K Houck
November 22, 2023 at 11:12 am
Dear Sue and all the Bennett family, please accept our deepest sympathies on Dick’s passing. I will always remember him in the hangar in his white lab coat (embroidered “Jet Surgeon”- so true!) or behind his desk in shirt and tie doing what he did so well, elevating the stature of maintenance technicians and their professionalism within the industry.
His family and faith meant so much to him and it showed in the way he lived his life. That smile, laugh and friendship of his are missed by many.
Brad and Nancy Houck
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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