Robert Donald Bennett

Robert Donald Bennett Passed away peacefully on September 7, 2015 at the age of 87. Mr. Bennett was born to Rhea and Katherine Bennett on April 1, 1928 in Highland Park, Michigan and grew up on the east side of Detroit. After graduating from Cass Technical High School, he joined the United Sates Army Air Corp for a three year hitch. Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Mr. Bennett entered Wayne State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering law. Mr. Bennett was employed at Michigan Bell Telephone Company for 31 years. With his wife, Janet, Mr. Bennett moved to Livonia, Michigan in 1958 and he became a very active member of the community. He served on the Jackson School PTA and the Zoning Board of Appeals before becoming elected to the Livonia City Council in 1970. Mr. Bennett served on the Council for 17 years. In November 1987, Mr. Bennett was elected as Mayor of the City of Livonia and took office in January 1988. Mr. Bennett served as Livonia's mayor until 1995 when he was term limited. Never one to sit still, Mr. Bennett remained very active in the community and was a member of the Livonia Rotary Club; served on the Board of Directors for the Livonia Symphony Orchestra for 35 years (8 years as Board President), Livonia Goodfellows, Livonia Chamber of Commerce, and numerous other city projects, committees, and activities. Mr. Bennett loved the City of Livonia and was very proud of his involvement in the shaping of that community. In 1995, upon leaving the mayor's office, Mr. Bennett founded the Livonia Community Foundation and remained on the Board of Directors of the Foundation until the time of his passing, including 16 years as president. Mr. Bennett was gratified by watching the Foundation endowment grow from $15, 000 to over 1 million dollars today and it brought him great joy and satisfaction to see the monies raised support numerous worthy projects within the community. Mr.Bennett's greatest source of pride was his family and is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Janet; his children Andrea (Charles) Sullivan, Lindsay (Roger) Spence, Robert (Shawn) Bennett and Joanna (Nigel) Travis; grandchildren Katherine, Charles, Robert, Natalie, Madeline, Ian, Brooke, Elin and Rowen; and Sister Rhea (Lyle) Norquist. Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by his brother Richard. His Funeral Service will be held at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Saturday at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m. and Friday from 1 - 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Livonia Community Foundation, Friends For The Development of Greenmead or the Livonia Symphony Orchestra. Please share a memory of Bob by signing his guestbook. Funeral Home: R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services 15451 Farmington Rd. Livonia, MI US 48154