Robert F. Bennett

Bennett, Robert F., 90, died June 1, 2015. Rosary will be 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at Downing Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at The Church of the Blessed Sacrament. Bob was born February 2, 1925 and is preceded in death by his parents, Arch and Garnett Bennett. He is survived and loved by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth; and their six children, Kirk Bennett, Sue Campnest (Conrad), Dave Bennett (Becky), Nancy Oldfather (Mike), Mike Bennett (Keli Kastrup) and Jeff Bennett. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Barbara Hitt (Jeremy), Josh Bennett (Jessica), Danny Bennett (Becky), Bennett Campnest, Stuart Campnest, Andy Bennett (Renee), Kelley Bennett, Nick Oldfather, Graham Oldfather and ten great-grandchildren. He is also loved by nieces, Sally Liebst, Janet Mansfield (Jeff); nephew, Rob Means and 9 great-nieces and nephews. Bob was born and raised in Wichita, graduating from East High and attending Wichita University for one semester where he joined Alpha Gamma Gamma. He then joined the Army and served as an Army medic in WWII with the 5th Armored Division. His years in the war were spent in Europe, from France to Germany. After the war he attended KU for two years and pledged Delta Chi fraternity. Later he moved back to Wichita to finish his degree in Radio Journalism. Bob and Elizabeth met on a blind date and married in 1951. As their family grew, they moved five times finally finding a home in College Hill that was perfect place to raise the family. Their home on Third Street was usually filled with neighborhood kids playing hide and seek or dress-up in the attic, then deciding to play pool and ping pong in the basement. Bob was the owner of Ramsey Fruit Company until his “retirement.” A few months later he discovered that he wasnt ready to retire so he began working part-time at Food For Thought. He loved to travel, volunteer, paint, and have lunch with his friends. He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed a round of golf. Bob was a former member of Serra Club, Ys-Men Club and Rotary Club of Wichita. Contributions may be made in his name to The Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 124 N. Roosevelt, Wichita, KS 67208; or StepStone, 1329 S. Bluffview, Wichita, KS 67218.