Robert Edward Bennett

Robert Edward Bennett, 93, passed away on February 7th, 2013, at the Chula Valley Veteran’s Home after a long and interesting life. Born June 4th, 1919 in Butte, Montana, Bob worked as a gold miner for several mines in Alaska before the war. During the war he was a Radioman First Class USNR stationed at the Cambell Ranch, no UCSB. After the war he studied to become a dental technician but ended up becoming an engineer at the telephone company in Santa Barbara.

In 1946 Bob married Winifred Gage at the Santa Barbara Mission and they had six children. They purchased property in Montecito where Bob labored for 17 years (1947-1964) to build by hand the Bennett Adobe. After the adobe was completed Bob moved back to Chula Vista, the home of his youth. He became a real estate broker. Being both dedicated to his work and fluent in Spanish he helped many low-income Mexican families purchase their first home. Bob had a deep love for the Mexican culture. He was a devout Catholic and was very active in charitable works. He was known for his willingness to help other in the community and beyond. He made frequent car trips with his family to Mexico for the Direct Relief Foundation to deliver medical supplies to orphanages. After his retirement Bob became a world traveler interested in seeing the world and those who inhabited it.

Bob was preceded in death by his brothers Don and Jim; so Daniel and son-in-law David Bury. Bob is survived by his former spouse Winni; their children Maria, Bobby, Joanne, John (DeAnna) and Mark; grandchildren, Athena, Christina, Alex, Dustin and Francis; brother Jack and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 23rd, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Mount Carmel Church, 1300 East Valley Road, Montecito.

A Memorial Gathering will take place Saturday, March 30th, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the Bennett Adobe at 1469 La Verda Lane, Montecito.