Robert D. Bennett

Robert D. Bennett of Visalia passed from this life on October 1, 2010 at the age of 71. Robert was born on December 27, 1938 in Porterville, CA to Albert & Nellie Bennett, who preceded him in death. Shortly after joining the Navy in 1957, he married his one true love he had known since 1st grade. His loving and devoted wife of 52 years, Esther M. Bennett. He joined the Navy on the buddy system with his two best life long friends from grade school, Denny Beair and David Stark. They split up temporarily while Robert went to the US Naval Training Center in Great Lakes Illinois, where he completed his training as a machinist, and finished in the top 15 out of 50 in his class. He served on the USS Rankin (AKA-103) from 1957-1961. Then served in the US Naval Reserve until 1963. He then took over his fathers business. At the time, it was Bennetts Welding in Ivanhoe, CA. He later moved the business to Lindsay, CA as Bennetts Steel Construction, which he owned and operated for 40 years before he retired. Robert enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, motorcycle racing, watching his 49'ers and most of all taking his grandkids to amusement parks and enjoyed them swimming in his pool every summer. Later in life his passion was the race car circuit, with Jeff Gordon as his favorite driver. Robert is survived by his wife Esther M. Bennett, of Visalia CA, 4 daughters; Elizabeth (David) La Casse of Eagle, ID, Teresa (Roger) Hedrick of Hanford, CA, Melissa (Roger) Davidson of Visalia, CA, Rhonda (Shawn) Day of Tulare, CA, 1 sister Joyce (Bob) Welch of The Villages, Florida. Grandchildren, Nathan, Caleb and Kendall Nichols of Eagle, Idaho, Savannah, Drew & Haley Davidson of Visalia, CA and Robert & Elayna Day of Tulare, CA. The Family would like to thank TCS for their wonderful care, kindness and compassion, shown to Robert and his family during the last month of his life. A very special thanks and heart felt appreciation to Athena, Brittni, Jessica, Lynda, Nancy and Sally. A visitation will be held Thursday, October 7, 2010, 4:00 to 8:00pm at Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel, 332 E. Visalia Rd., Farmersville, CA. A graveside service will be held Friday, October 8, 2010, 10:00am at Exeter District Cemetery.