Don C. Bennett

   Don C. Bennett died peacefully at home on Friday, January 25, 2008 surrounded by family. Don was born June 28, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of William and Chloe Bennett. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joan Bitner Bennett; daughter, Janis Bennett Neff and husband Jerry; son, Eric James Bennett and wife Wendy; daughter Robyn Bennett Ryan and husband Terry; son, Matthew Chad and wife Ellen; granddaughters: Kori Rachel Bennett, Quincy Bennett Ryan, Greer Bennett Ryan, Wren Bonnie Bennett; seven grandsons: Marc Bennett Geller and wife Mehrzad, Brian James Geller and wife Shanna, Andrew Scott Geller and wife Katie, Jeremy Miles Bennett, Garrett Michael Bennett, William Harris Bennett and Don C Bennett; step-grandchildren: Jacob and Emily Neff; great-grandson: Kaden Harris Bennett. He also is survived by brothers, Jack Bennett and Max C Bennett and brother-in-law, Robert F Bitner and wife Carol; sister-in-law Helen Bitner Wilcox and husband Harold, and many beloved nephews and nieces.
    After serving in the US Army in World War II, Don took a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Utah in Geography. He and Joan were married September, 1948, in Salt Lake City. They then went to Syracuse, New York, where he was awarded the Master’s and PhD at Syracuse University, where he specialized in Asian studies. He was later awarded a Ford Foundation grant and traveled with his family to the Netherlands and Indonesia to complete a study on “Overpopulation in East Java”. After 2 1/2 years, he returned to Syracuse University and joined the faculty there until transferring to the Indiana University Geography Department, where he served as Chair of the department and as Assistant Dean in the Graduate School. He also received a Fulbright grant as visiting professor at Far Eastern University in the Philippines, where the family spent a year.
   Other activities included: a contract teaching the Geography of USSR to Air Force officers; participated in a study of terrain in Northern Africa for the US Army Corps of Engineers; Director of a study of climate in SE Asia.
   During the Civil Rights movement, he served as chairman of the Bloomington Fair Housing Committee, which eliminated discrimination in housing in Bloomington. He worked in other areas of justice and caring, such as Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. He was a loving husband, beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend; a choice member of society. He is remembered by all for his great kindness, humor and compassion.

   Services will be held Saturday, February 2nd, at 3:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington at 2120 North Fee Lane. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to: Habitat For Humanity, the UU Special Gifts or a charity of choice.

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