Robert Bennett

1933 - 2023

Robert Bennett
November 23, 1933 - November 30, 2023
Robert L. Bennett, affectionately known as Bob (November 23, 1933-November 30, 2023) of Healdsburg, CA, passed away peacefully in the early morning of November 30th at the age of ninety. Bob was a beloved husband, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many. Bob was preceded in death in 2020 by his wife of 63 years, Christine (Cris) Bennett, who was the love of his life. Bob is survived by his sons Scott Bennett and Steve Bennett, and his daughter, Lynne Klatt. Bob will be deeply missed by all who know him.

Bob lived a beautiful life. He was born and raised in New Jersey and upon graduating from High School, attended Dartmouth College with the class of '55. After his sophomore year, he left to serve in the army and returned to Dartmouth to graduate with the class of '57.
After Dartmouth, he relocated to San Francisco to pursue a career in logistics. He married his sweetheart, Christine in 1957 and raised three children in California. Upon retirement, Bob and Cris moved to the great wine country of Sonoma County, where they planted and grew award winning wine grapes that were sold to home winemakers and commercial wineries.

Bob and Cris started a home winemaking club called Garage Enologists of North County (Genco) almost 30 years ago. The club has now grown to nearly 100 members. Bob taught winemaking classes in his garage, judged amateur winemaking competitions, and conducted fundraising winery tours on behalf of the Sonoma Conty Wine Library.
Bob and Cris loved to travel and have enjoyed trips to Europe, the Far East, and all over the United States. They enjoyed dining, playing bridge, excursions to beautiful Lake Tahoe, and the California coast, and especially treasured a glass of their own Bennett Ridge wine while playing board games and puzzles, enjoying the beautiful view from their deck.

Bob and Cris loved to volunteer. Bob spent 12 years as a Library Commissioner for Sonoma County, he was President on the Board of Senior Advocacy Services (having been an Ombudsman himself) and participated on the board of the County Wine Library. He donated time and effort to arrange fund-raising events for non-profits. He was President of Suburban Investments Club, and President of SIRS. Bob strongly believed in giving time and effort to his community, and his wife Cris helped him greatly with activities. He loved remaining active and believed that it kept him relatively young, alert, and involved.
A celebration of life will be held in February or March at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Healdsburg. Friends and family will be notified with details.