Roy Bennett

Roy L. Bennett

May 21, 1929 - June 12, 2014

Cary

Roy Leo Bennett of Cary died Thursday, June 12, 2014, at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh surrounded by his family. He had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis a number of years ago, was admitted to Rex Hospital for an acute respiratory illness on May 30, and moved to Transitions on June 9.

Roy was born May 21, 1929, the fifth child of Ado H. and Addie Rhodes Bennett, and grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. After finishing high school in Hattiesburg, he studied chemistry at Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi) and at Tulane University, where he earned a Master's degree. After serving as a chemist for the U.S. Army in Maryland and in West Virginia, he returned to graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Tennessee in 1959. Throughout the 1960s he resided in Knoxville, Tennessee, and worked as a research chemist in nuclear safety at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

In Knoxville, he met Ellen Mitchell Click, whom he married in 1967. In 1970, Roy joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a charter employee. After a short posting with the EPA in Cincinnati, Ohio, the couple moved to Raleigh in 1971. Roy worked as a chemist with the EPA in Research Triangle Park, specializing in stationary sources emissions research until his retirement in 2001.

An avid sports fan and member of the Raleigh Sports Club, Roy was a fervent follower of college football, particularly his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. He loved listening to music, with record and compact disc collections that reflected his eclectic tastes including folk, country, new age and classical. He faithfully attended pulmonary rehab exercise and support classes at Rex Wellness Center Raleigh, where he enjoyed many close friendships with members and staff. He was a long-time member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are his wife, Ellen Click Bennett of Cary; children, Brian T. Bennett (Wendy) and Susan B. Fairlee (Jason) of Cary; four grandchildren, Marc T. Bennett, Robert J. Bennett, Allison R. Fairlee, and Ryan M. Fairlee; nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff of both Rex Hospital Fourth Floor East and Transitions Life Care for their exceptional and gentle care of Mr. Bennett.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road in Raleigh, on Tuesday, June 17, at 2:00 PM with visitation following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his memory to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608; or Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Inc., 2109 Sandy Ridge Road, Colfax, NC 27235 with "Glenaire Resident Assistance Endowment" written on the memo line; or any charity of the donor's choice.