Richard Luther Bennett
March 04, 1934 - October 24, 2021
Richard Luther (Dick) Bennett was born on March 4, 1934 in Allison Park, PA. His adopted parents were John and Emma Bennett and he was their only child. As a student at Scott High School, he played football as a tight end graduating in 1952. Following high school, he was employed by Edgar Thompson Steel Mill. Dick was drafted into the army and served from 1953 to 1955 at Fort Benning, GA. In the service he was a Radio Operator in the Color Guard and had the honor of being reviewed by President Eisenhower who was his favorite president along with FDR. Dick had the privilege of training Israeli soldiers in basic firearm operations for combat. Upon completing his time in the service, Dick was rehired by Edgar Thomas Steel Mill and promoted to Metallurgist where he stayed until 1966.
Dick and his family relocated to California where he was hired by Kaiser Steel Mill. He left Kaiser Steel after 12 years having been injured on the job. That did not end Dicks work life as he worked a side job as a Wedding and Special events Photographer. Dick enjoyed working as a Security Guard at Bloomington High school for 14 years which was his most rewarding job. Dick was well loved by both staff and students. Dick stayed active coaching youth sports and also working as a Security Guard at Fiscalini and Stampead Ballparks in San Bernardino, CA. Dick enjoyed watching sports on television while smoking his infamous cigars. The Steelers football team was his team and he made sure everyone knew as there weren’t too many days you wouldn’t catch him wearing Steelers shirts, jackets or sweaters. Dick also loved when his children and grandchildren would come to visit as they could always put a smile on his face. He will always be remembered by his engaging smile and chuckle. Dick would enjoy stays at the beach with his wife Marilyn and a particular trip to New Orleans where they visited the preservation hall in the French Quarter. Dick loved classical country and especially jazz music.
Dick had many friends from diverse walks of life and enjoyed keeping up with them throughout the years. He was an avid reader reading three news papers at a time and was excellent at keeping up with current events and past history. Sometimes he would follow the horse race tracks and liked guessing who would win. Dick was diagnosed with Parkinson’s: dementia in 2012 and lived in the end stages for a very long time. All of his loved ones were saddened to watch such a brilliant mind begin to forget and become so withdrawn. He held on to to life as long as he could. It is comforting to know he is at rest now.
Richard(Dick)Bennett is survived by his loving wife of 24 years Marilyn Beth Bennett of Redlands CA, his four beloved children, Richard Bennett(Debbie)of Upland CA, Rebecca Eller(Mark)of Escondido, CA, John Bennett(Fran)of Henderson, NV and Martin (Marty) Bennett (Mary)of Colton, CA and his four stepchildren, Chris Applebee (Ida)of Highland, CA, Cary Applebee of Flagstaff, AZ, Lorelle Bethany Fickes (Kyle) of Redlands, CA and David Lawrence(Andrea)of Sherman Oaks, CA. Dick had 12 grandchildren,15 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. Richard L. Bennett was a true gentleman who was loved by many and will be forgotten by none. As he would always say,
“So long.”
Never good bye. Until we meet again.
Mark 10:52
