Obituary for Robert Bennett

"Just received the UD Magazine and it always brings some heartbreak to see my former English professors go on to glory. It feels like yesterday, that I would be searching the class seat openings to register for a class with "Bob Bennett". The College of Arts & Science family would say his name with ease. He pushed me to my limits and then some. To his family and friends, my heartfelt condolences. To UD alumni (AS particularly) we have lost another one of our superlatives. May future professors and generations to come be just as if not greater."

"Condolences to Dr. Bennett's family during this difficult time. I took a class in Shakespeare with him many moons ago. I most remember the kindness and compassion he had for me, when he saw I was struggling.

Carolyn Segal Schnell B.A. English '86"

"I'm sorry to hear of Dr. Bennett's passing. I had the pleasure of taking his English literature class in the mid-1970s and still recall the great class discussions on Paradise Lost and The Canterbury Tales. But my absolute favorite memory? One beautiful spring morning when one student suggested we have our class outside. Dr. Bennett said, "Well, I'm game," and we trooped outside where he taught our class as we sat under a huge old tree on the main mall, in the sunshine with the birds singing. What a fantastic morning; what a great teacher."

"Dear Joan,
I am so sorry for your loss. This is the first we heard of it.
Leslie Goldstein
P.s. Phil too sends condolences. Stay safe."

"Bob was the soul of kindness, a quiet, gentle, and friendly presence in the English Department (although I've heard he could be a bit more aggressive in a race!). I always associate the running trail along White Clay Creek with Bob, which is a wonderful legacy."

"I grew up with Robert and brother Johnny in the Cordova apt. Building. They had a beautiful two story apt with an alcove for their family piano. Father was a famous navy man whose idea saved a famous ship that was stuck on a sand bar. Mother was a southern lady that fixed us stacks of delicious pancakes. The boys went to John Quincy Adams elementary school briefly and then attended StAlbans thru high school. They had moved to Chevy Chase dc by then. Robert was a fast runner and could beat all of us in our neighborhood races even though he was the youngest of our group of kids in the building. Thought one of them had a birthday near Christmas and always got fewer presents as a result of people doubling up their gifts. I was between them in age and learned that even though they fought each other when we played, blood was thicker than water if you came between them. very sad to learn of Roberts passing so recently. Just felt like googling he and Johnny for some reason this morning. He was special and may he Rest In Peace. His friend, Bill Gaylord."