Christopher Michael Bennett

On Sunday, January 5th, my loving husband and our amazing Dad graduated this life due to the complications of pancreatic cancer surrounded by loved ones.

Chris was born in 1955 in Dayton, Ohio to Florence Marie Gates and Michael Jesse Bennett. He was the fourth of 14 children in a blended family. Due to job changes, he attended 6 elementary schools. His family finally landed in the Salt Lake Valley with extended family where he attended Wasatch Jr High and Skyline High school. He participated in Drama, Choir, math competitions and Seminary Council. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Business in 1989 and an MBA in 2004 from University of Phoenix.

He treasured his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many capacities. He served a 2 year mission to Taiwan where he learned to love the Chinese language, people and culture. After returning from his mission, he met his sweetheart, Angelika Duckwitz and they married in 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple surrounded by family and loved ones. He often had the calling of ward music chairperson, or ward/stake choir director. Due to professional opportunities, Chris and his wife were able to work and serve in Mainland China from 2014 to 2018. Some of his favorite callings over the years were as branch and district president in China. He made many friends and did much good with the saints in China.

Christopher started working for ZCMI in the credit department as soon as he returned from his mission in 1977 and continued to work there until the local company was purchased by the May company in 1999. After a few job changes, he ended up with BMW Bank where he stayed until his passing. He was a member of several professional associations related to credit over the years and even spoke and did research on topics of fraud, collections and bankruptcy. As part of his passion for financial literacy, he served countless hours as a volunteer teaching financial skills to young people.

Throughout this time on earth, he always kept music in his life. He started singing with his family as a young child and continued that tradition with the family he and Angelika created. He sang with his siblings, his children, his quartet, “One Voice” and as a member of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He performed in assisted living facilities, county fairs, city council meetings, road shows, weddings, Church Office Building and Promised Valley Playhouse among many others venues.

Chris loved spending time with his family and friends and puttering around his house. He has built countless projects around his home and the homes of his children to help make life easier. He was an early adopter of personal computers and started a business setting up and teaching others computer skills in the early days of personal computers. He also ran a catering business for 10 years which he enjoyed. He loved to camp and enjoyed a well-made spreadsheet. He always loved math and had his trusty slide rule hanging in his office.

Family was of vital importance to Chris. He and his wife were proud of their children and loved to spend time with and spoil their grandchildren. Chris could often be found telling stories, singing songs or even playing on the floor with his grandkids. He carried on the tradition of singing in hammock with opi. He was often referred to as “Uncle Christopher Robin” by his nieces and nephews and “opi” by many others.

He is survived by his wife, Angelika, and his 5 children: Karin (Jared) Hardman, Natalie (Cale) Patterson, Nicole (Andrew) Nelson, Kirsten (Skyler) Hutchison and Nick (Melissa) Bennett. He is also survived by his 19 grandchildren and all 12 of his siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Jan Bennett and Florence Marie and John Stamm and a grandchild, Evan.

The family would like to thank the staff at Holy Cross Hospital-Davis and Thatcher Brook Rehabilitation and Care Center for all the hard work and compassion they shared while working with Chris.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Whisper Wood Ward, 2679 S 1000 W, in Syracuse. Friends may visit with family on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary. 869 S 2000 W and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

The graveside interment will be held following the funeral at Syracuse City Cemetery.

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