Richard Burroughs Bennett

Richard Burroughs Bennett January 10, 1931 - January 24, 2014 CMD. Richard (Rick) Burroughs Bennett, USNR, 83, of San Diego, California, passed away Friday morning, January 24, 2014, after a brief illness. A private family service will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, February 5, with full military honors. To celebrate Rick’s life a gathering of friends and family will follow between 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at a private residence. Rick was born in Buffalo, New York, to Carrie Irene Thayer-Bennett and Donald Robins Bennett. He graduated from Hackensack High School in 1949. He attended Michigan State College, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Administration. While at Michigan State College, he joined ROC, (Reserved Officer Candidate program USN). On receiving his BA he joined the Navy and was initially assigned to the Chelan County which was deployed above the Arctic Circle working with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). He also served in San Diego (1960-1964), and Guam (1964-1966) before returning to Michigan State in 1967, to earn his Master's degree in Business Administration and Food Science. He was then assigned to the Pentagon and, ultimately, returned to San Diego, retiring in 1977 with the rank of Commander. After retiring from the Navy in 1978, he began a second career in real estate, founding his own business, Cowles Mountain Realty. He retired from this successful endeavor in 1988. In 1980, he befriended Bill W. who had a life long impact. To his friends and family, Rick was always a source of security, reliability, optimism, and hope. He had a love for and special connection to those around him. He always expressed a particular love of nature and animals. He was an avid fisherman and a serious stamp collector. He was a selfless man who constantly went out of his way to help others. It was his passion to provide financial council and education to those willing to learn. He left a legacy built on integrity, loyalty, and love. He will be dearly missed by all those many lives he touched. Rick was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother. He is survived by his dear wife of 28 years, Susan Kay Bennett, his former wife Joan Bennett, daughter Laura Bennett, his son and daughter-in-law Glenn and Yvonne Bennett, his step-daughter and son-in-law Kara and Steven Barnett, his step-son, Douglas Temple, and many grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Rick would have you donate to the Humane Society. Click Online Donations and make your selection. Those wishing to share condolences, stories, or pictures may do so at this website: http://featheringillmortuary.com.