Joseph Frank Bennett, D'53
Joseph Frank Bennett, D'53, passed away on September 25, 2021 in Sarasota, Florida. Lifetime Member.
Joseph Frank "Chuck" Bennett passed away peacefully at his home in Sarasota, Florida, at 12:04 A.M., September 25, 2021.
Chuck was born on May 14, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska. He had blond hair & hazel eyes. He was the first of 2 children born to Joseph Glenn "Jack" Bennett and Margaret Jane Reisdorff. His brother, Jerome Allen "Jerry" Bennett, was born 2 years later in 1937.
Chuck attended Ashland Park Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from the 8th Grade in May 1949. Chuck attended South High School & Technical High School in Omaha, Nebraska & Boys Town High School in Boys Town, Nebraska. He graduated from Berkeley Evening High School, Berkeley, California, in June 1959. Chuck graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, in December 1976, with a BS Degree in Criminal Justice. His major was Law Enforcement and his minor was Sociology.
Chuck first met his future wife, Mary Patricia Convery, in July 1953 at Omaha's Crosstown Roller Rink. He enlisted in the Navy on December 10, 1953. They met again in August 1955 when he was home on leave. In December 1955, Chuck proposed over the phone from Hawaii, sent her rings via mail, and they got married on May 12, 1956 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Omaha, Nebraska.
Chuck reported back to his duty station in Bremerton, Washington about a week later. On May 25, 1956, Chuck and Mary moved into an apartment in Bremerton. This was the first of many residences that Chuck and Mary lived in during his 20-year Navy career. Included were Neptune Beach, FL; Atlantic Beach, FL; Memphis, TN; Millington, TN; San Francisco, CA; Berkeley, CA; San Diego, CA; Omaha, NE, Newport, RI; Isle of Palms, SC; Charleston Heights, SC; Charleston, SC; Virginia Beach, VA; and finally, Norfolk, VA. Throughout his Navy career, Chuck served at various shore commands in San Diego, California; Treasure Island, California; Memphis, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; and Norfolk, Virginia. He served on board USS King County (LST-857); USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42); USS Charles R. Ware (DD-865); USS Furse (DDR-882); USS Manley (DD-940); USS Casa Grande (LSD-13); USS Pocono (AGC-16); USS L.Y. Spear (AS-16). Chuck's Navy Rates Held: SR - Seaman Recruit, SA - Seaman Apprentice, SN - Seaman, RD3 - Radarman Third Class Petty Officeer, RD2 - Radarman Second Class Petty Officer, RD1 - Radarman First Class Petty Officer, RDC - Chief Radarman, OSC - Chief Operations Specialist. Chuck received a permanent appointment to Chief Radarman (RDC), November 16, 1968 on board USS POCONO (AGC-16). Chuck was awarded his 4th Navy Good Conduct Award on January 3, 1971. Chuck transferred from active duty to the Naval Fleet Reserve on December 18, 1973 on board USS L. Y. SPEAR (AS-36). Chuck's Specialty Fields while in the Navy were: Radar, Electronics, Career Counseling, Race Relations and Drug Education Specialist. (Read Full Obituary Here)
Chuck was born on May 14, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska. He had blond hair & hazel eyes. He was the first of 2 children born to Joseph Glenn "Jack" Bennett and Margaret Jane Reisdorff. His brother, Jerome Allen "Jerry" Bennett, was born 2 years later in 1937.
Chuck attended Ashland Park Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from the 8th Grade in May 1949. Chuck attended South High School & Technical High School in Omaha, Nebraska & Boys Town High School in Boys Town, Nebraska. He graduated from Berkeley Evening High School, Berkeley, California, in June 1959. Chuck graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, in December 1976, with a BS Degree in Criminal Justice. His major was Law Enforcement and his minor was Sociology.
Chuck first met his future wife, Mary Patricia Convery, in July 1953 at Omaha's Crosstown Roller Rink. He enlisted in the Navy on December 10, 1953. They met again in August 1955 when he was home on leave. In December 1955, Chuck proposed over the phone from Hawaii, sent her rings via mail, and they got married on May 12, 1956 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Omaha, Nebraska.
Chuck reported back to his duty station in Bremerton, Washington about a week later. On May 25, 1956, Chuck and Mary moved into an apartment in Bremerton. This was the first of many residences that Chuck and Mary lived in during his 20-year Navy career. Included were Neptune Beach, FL; Atlantic Beach, FL; Memphis, TN; Millington, TN; San Francisco, CA; Berkeley, CA; San Diego, CA; Omaha, NE, Newport, RI; Isle of Palms, SC; Charleston Heights, SC; Charleston, SC; Virginia Beach, VA; and finally, Norfolk, VA. Throughout his Navy career, Chuck served at various shore commands in San Diego, California; Treasure Island, California; Memphis, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; and Norfolk, Virginia. He served on board USS King County (LST-857); USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42); USS Charles R. Ware (DD-865); USS Furse (DDR-882); USS Manley (DD-940); USS Casa Grande (LSD-13); USS Pocono (AGC-16); USS L.Y. Spear (AS-16). Chuck's Navy Rates Held: SR - Seaman Recruit, SA - Seaman Apprentice, SN - Seaman, RD3 - Radarman Third Class Petty Officeer, RD2 - Radarman Second Class Petty Officer, RD1 - Radarman First Class Petty Officer, RDC - Chief Radarman, OSC - Chief Operations Specialist. Chuck received a permanent appointment to Chief Radarman (RDC), November 16, 1968 on board USS POCONO (AGC-16). Chuck was awarded his 4th Navy Good Conduct Award on January 3, 1971. Chuck transferred from active duty to the Naval Fleet Reserve on December 18, 1973 on board USS L. Y. SPEAR (AS-36). Chuck's Specialty Fields while in the Navy were: Radar, Electronics, Career Counseling, Race Relations and Drug Education Specialist. (Read Full Obituary Here)