John Bennett

BENNETT, John Of Kalamazoo, Michigan John Hardwick Bennett passed away unexpectedly on November 13, 2010. He was born July 7, 1938 in Grand Rapids to Laura and Roscoe Bennett. He was a graduate of Macalester College where he was an All-American swimmer, and received his M.A. from Western Michigan University. John taught English and Creative Writing at Kalamazoo Central and Loy Norrix High Schools for 35 years. He inspired many students and teacher interns and received the Influential Educator Award several times. He coached men's and woman's swimming at Kalamazoo Central. He was active in the National Council of Teachers of English and the Michigan Council of Teachers of English; the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill; and served on the Kalamazoo County Mental Health Board. He was on the Diaconate Board of First Baptist Church where he was a member. John wrote several plays based on the work of Rudyard Kipling and recently published a book of his own vignettes and poetry. While a student at Macalester College John met his wife Betty Wright who survives. Together they enjoyed sailing and spending time at their cottage on St. Joseph Island, Canada. They traveled to many countries, in particular to Asia where they visited their daughter Juliet and family five times. John and Betty loved to entertain and were gracious hosts to their family and friends. In addition to his wife of 50 years, John is survived by his daughter Juliet James Hentschel of Bloomfield Hills and son Sean of Kalamazoo and granddaughters Elizabeth and Jacqueline Hentchel. He is also survived by his brother Dudley Marcia Bennett of Franklin, NJ; his sister-in-law Peggy Simonsen and brother-in-law Richard Carol Wright, ten nieces and nephews and many friends. John's organs were donated to the Gift of Life. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 Saturday, November 20 at the First Baptist Church, 315 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, the Rev. Dr. Mary Beth Sarhatt officiating. In John's memory, memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo; NARSAD; or the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign the online register book and leave a condolence to the family.