John Bennitt

John H. Bennitt, M.D.

Resident of Los Altos

Nov. 16, 1941 - Nov. 28, 2010

John passed away peacefully at home with his wife Irene by his side. John embraced each day, living life to its fullest, and always said he'd had 'a good life, no regrets'.

John was born in Stockton, CA to George and Evalyn Bennitt. He was a member of the first graduating class of Stagg High, in 1959 and graduated from Stanford in 1964, where he was a member of the DKE fraternity. He received his degree in Medicine at the University of California San Francisco in 1968 (but was always loyal to Stanford!). He was a Captain in the Army, serving as a flight surgeon for two years in Fort Rucker, AL, during the Vietnam War. He completed his Internship and Residency in Ob/Gyn at Harbor General in Los Angeles, CA. John could be found at his practice, Altos Oaks Medical Group, delivering babies at El Camino Hospital until retirement in 2008. Over his 35 years John would say he'd delivered "thousands" of babies, but he always expressed his fortune at having a job he loved that it never felt like work.

As a boy John loved water-skiing on the Stockton delta sloughs with friends. He always had a strong work ethic and very competitive spirit and will to win...especially at tennis! Someone able to beat him at dominoes or Trivial Pursuit would likely have to endure more games until John too was victorious, which then prompted 'a victory dance'. He enjoyed skiing, scuba diving, golf, reading, the Oakland Raiders, shared many weekends in the video arcades with his children and had a reputation as 'the one to watch' during Fourth of July fireworks on the beach of the Russian River where he spent his childhood summers. John was a lover of great Napa Cabernets and enjoyed sharing a glass of his finest bottles with all. He appreciated the Fine Arts, jewelry, and traveling the world over from the time he was a young boy, exploring six continents with his wife, family and friends. John was a gentleman of quiet humility, generosity and, above all, fairness. His warm presence, cheerful grin and gracious heart is what we will miss the most.

He impressed upon people that one's legacy lives on through their family - children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Irene, his two children, Wendy Sylvester (David) and Christopher Bennitt (Gro), five grandchildren, Aeven, Holyn, Jack, Naia and Jens, his brother, Robert Bennitt (Linda), many nephews/nieces and extended family.

With his passing the mold truly has been broken and he will be missed by those he loved, worked with, doctored and delivered. Thank you to the amazing people who have supported and cared for John the last 3 years. Those wishing to memorialize John are encouraged to make a contribution to the NIH Clinical Center's "Patient Emergency Fund" in John's name. Donations to help patients & their families in financial need may be sent to Friends of the Clinical Center, P.O. Box 340139, Bethesda, MD 20827, or made at www.FOCCCharity.org.

Family will announce a Celebration of Life to toast John, and memorialize his larger-than-life personality and oft-cited motto: virtue is its own reward.