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BORN
1933
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
Roger Bennett Obituary
Following a brief illness, Roger Bennett (Dr. B.) passed January 12, 2019 at Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, FL. Bennett, serving his 8th term as Mayor of Briny Breezes, FL is survived by his wife, Barbara (Johnson), daughter and son-in-law Jo Bennett and Jay Kelley of Ocean Ridge, FL and son and partner, Roger Bennett II and Takahiro Oda of Cologne, Germany, and Lake Worth, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva Gayle and George Russell Bennett of Portsmouth, OH and a sister, Betty Irene (Robert) Stump of Cincinnati and Harlingen, TX. Everyone he met was endeared for life.
Bennett was a five-year Korean War Veteran. After his discharge he was city hall reporter at his hometown newspaper where he met his wife who was the society editor. With her support he was graduated from Ohio University with Bachelor and Master degrees and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. After several years teaching at Ohio University, he became chairman of the Communications department at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, where he served 23 years and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1995. While at Ohio University he was honored as Professor of the Year, his specialty was teaching Reporting, Communication Law and The First Amendment.
Following retirement, he taught at Florida Atlantic University and for two semesters (2001 and 2007) on Semester at Sea, a ship-bound university through The University of Pittsburg and University of Virginia, respectively. Semester at Sea afforded the Bennetts the opportunity to sail twice around the world with more than 400 students plus faculty. The only continent they did not visit was Antarctica and over his life he had the opportunity to visit more than 100 countries. Dr. B. also traveled to Poland for a semester teaching in an exchange program at the University of Silesia in Katowice.
Roger was a loving husband and proud father who adored all living things. The house was always open to friends, family and former students. To celebrate his life the family will have a story-telling party on the beach at Briny Breezes at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Semester at Sea (https://www.semesteratsea.org/giving/ or by phone at 800-854-0195) so those less fortunate will have the opportunity to study while sailing the seven seas.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Bennett
19 Entries
Denise Rolirad Aziz
January 25, 2024
Dr. B's office door at SWT was almost always open to anyone. He felt more like a wise, fun friend than a seasoned professor chairing a department. Sounds like his life was very well-lived. I will always remember him fondly.
Mike Rein
July 28, 2023
I´m heartbroken to learn of the passing of my favorite instructor of my entire life. I was in ROTC during my SWT days and he always treated me and the military with the utmost respect. I´m a better person because of him
James Barnes
July 21, 2019
Roger was by far my favorite teacher at SWTSU. We constantly were being silly and he made the Communications department the best it could be. My experience at SWT would never would have been the same without him. Thank you Roger! See you on the other side. :)
Adam Couch
January 30, 2019
My condolences. I have always valued the time we spent together in the Journalism department. Dr B was fun.I am gratefull I knew him and was shaped in growth and knowledge by him. Thanks Dr. B.
Steven Beebe
January 27, 2019
When I was a new department chair at Southwest Texas State University in 1986 Roger was always very supportive and helped me learn the ropes. With his wonderful sense of humor he made meetings fun. He loved teaching and was always student-centered. A wonderful educator and mentor.
Karla Ware Sartin
January 23, 2019
Dr. B was pivotal in my journalism education. He was an amazing teacher! I'm sending love and light to all he touched.
Louise OBrien
January 18, 2019
Always with a smile, making you feel at ease, always happy to see you!
Robert Stern
January 18, 2019
Im privileged to say Roger was my mentor and friend. He was the one who steered me toward journalism at Ohio U and its not a stretch to say I owed my career to him. Roger was someone who cared about his craft and the students he touched; he never will be forgotten. Other than my father, theres no man I respected and admired more. I will miss him
Rana Williamson
January 17, 2019
I have the most wonderful memories of Dr. B. from my time at SWT. He was a superb teacher, mentor, and friend. My deepest condolences.
Hannah and Frank Marsico
January 17, 2019
Roger was an amazing person. He will be very missed by all of us whose lives he touched. My condolences to the family.
Halina Czerniejewski
January 17, 2019
It was a privilege and a joy to have had you as a professor and friend at Ohio U. YOU made it possible for me to transfer to OU. All my gratitude.
You inspired me and showed me how to reach beyond what I thought was tradition - the classes and classwork and little interaction with profs - to knowing professors as human, and to taking on leadership in the Society of Professional Journalists (called Sigma Delta Chi back then). It became the largest college chapter in the nation when I was president. You would probably have said, well, we did start to let you women in, as you always brought humor to so many things. But, you helped steer us to bigger and better projects. Thank you for the social events with the members so that we developed networks and friendships - the football afternoons, the singing by a fireside, the games aboard the bus and car trips to the regional and national meetings of SPJ. Thank you for putting a chain lock on my campus apartment door, contacting my profs when I had the flu and couldnt attend the first days of a winter quarter when youd get dropped if you didnt show, and more.
Thanks for letting me use your VW bug to work on my senior independent project, and for not asking whether I knew how to put it in reverse! I never told you, but several guys (!) helped push it out of your parking space. They didnt know either.
Thank you for making me feel like family and for giving me a bunk when I was in town wherever you were. You and Barb were so gracious to so many, I know. Thank you for letting me call you Dr. Dad. (Outside the classroom, of course!)
I will miss you greatly.
Misti Morgan
January 16, 2019
Bless you Dr. B! You were wonderful to me as a student at Southwest Texas State. Grateful for your service to all who knew you. What a rich life you led. You will always be missed and fondly remembered. ❤
Frank Lewis
January 16, 2019
I had the privilege of having Dr.B at SWTSU. Highlights include attending Society of Professional Journalists event in Amarillo with him and Jeff Henderson. We shared my Pinch Scotch Whiskey. When I graduated he and the faculty selected me as the Outstanding Journalism Graduate. I also had the privilege of serving as the Broadcast Club President. God Speed Dr. B. You were the Best of what made my time Great at SWTSU.
Frank Lewis
Class of 1982
Jill Jacobson
January 16, 2019
Dr. B was the main reason I went to SWT. My parents and I brought my visiting grandparents to the campus so they could see it. Dr B was in Old Main (it was winter break) and gave us a tour. He was so welcoming to us I decided right then and there I had found my university. His retirement came at the same time as my graduation and to me, that was perfect because I couldnt imagine SWT without him. May his memory be a blessing.
Elizabeth Ramirez
January 16, 2019
Dr Bennett always had a smile to share and made even a 7:30 am media law class exciting. He helped to foster my love of journalism and helped me get a job at the University star for which I will always be grateful. When I think of my time at SWT I think of him and the influence he had on my life. My condolences to his Family.
Lisa Schweers
January 16, 2019
Dr. B was the man who convinced me to go to SWTSU and I still have the letter he sent me. When I graduated in 1985, he posed with me holding my diploma, with Old Main in the background. In the years I attended classes, he probably said hello to me every other day, or at least made a funny face at me! His classes were engaging, enlightening and memorable. Parties at his house in the spring were always filled with students spilling out into the backyard. I'll remember his cowboy boots and his stories about finding a letter written by LBJ. What an amazing, funny, inspiring man!
Linda Freeman
January 16, 2019
I am so sad to hear of Dr. B's passing. My deepest condolences to all his loved ones. I was fortunate to be one of his media law students at Southwest Texas State in the 80s and learn from him during my work on the University Star. I think of many of his lessons still today and hold him in the highest regard.
Debbie Rodday
January 16, 2019
Roger was truly larger than life; his ever-endearing personality never failed to put a smile on my face. Even the mere mention of his name evoked heartfelt warmth.
I am so very sad to learn of his passing. His positive spirit and that twinkle in his eye will be missed.
Sending Barbara love, hugs, prayers and peace now and always...
Holly and Bill
January 16, 2019
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. He was a wonderful man and he will be missed by all of us here in Briny.
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