Thomas Hugh Bennett

Thomas Hugh Bennett was born December 30, 1935 in Oakland, CA and died November 17, 2017 in Edmonds, WA. Between these two dates Tom graced the world with his bright countenance, unbridled enthusiasm, piercing wit, and unwavering devotion to his family.Born to William Bill and Frances (Thompson) Bennett, Tom spent his early childhood in Piedmont, CA. With fondness Tom would recall his fathers bedtime stories of travel adventures with his brothers. It was these tales that inspired Tom to become an avid traveler and make his own adventures.Toms sister Anna Katharine Bennett was born October 9, 1942. Five years later, the family moved to Vancouver, BC. Toms father Bill was needed there to help run the family food importing business after the sudden death of Toms uncle. In high school Frances and Bill discouraged him from playing football so Tom signed up for rugby instead. He often recalled with a chuckle that he was allowed to play rugby because his father mistakenly thought that it was a namby pamby sport. During this time Tom shared a love of music with his mother Frances and played the clarinet and saxophone in a jazz band comprised of his friends. Tom graduated from Magee High School in Vancouver in 1953. Instead of attending his graduation ceremony, Tom accompanied his father on a trip to Asia - a welcome gift for the young travel enthusiast. Following high school Tom entered the University of British Columbia where he studied Engineering and joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Instead of taking a mandatory engineering course during the summer after his sophomore year, Tom opted to go on a European adventure. His desire to travel meant changing his major to Business and so he decided to attend his parents alma mater, the University of California at Berkeley. Tom enjoyed his academic courses, but most memorable for him was playing rugby for Cal and helping the team to beat rival Stanford. After earning his BS in Business Tom joined the military to make himself more marketable. He joined the Army Security Agency and spent a year in beautiful Monterey, California learning German at the Armys language school. This was followed by a two-year post (1958-60) in West Germany as an Intelligence translator in Frankfurt and then West Berlin. Tom regarded his time in Germany as two of the best years of his life. His off-duty activities included rock climbing, skiing in the Alps, and of course rugby, where he was the one American on the local team, SC Frankfurt 1880. During this time, he developed a love for opera since the 75 cent ticket price inspired frequent attendance. Opera became his favorite music genre and his children would later remember his Pavarotti and other records blaring loudly every Saturday morning in their home.Toms army days were followed by two years working at his fathers Vancouver business and then a move to Seattle where he became a salesperson for Sun Life Insurance from 1962 1967. Seattle, as it turned out, held more than a career opportunity for Tom. Tom joined Ambassadors, a young adults group through University Presbyterian Church. Through Ambassadors, Tom met a lovely young woman of Norwegian ancestry named Marilyn Johansen from Vashon, WA. It is important to note that while in the army, Tom had been the best man in a friends wedding in Norway, which allowed him to observe how beautiful Norwegian women were. He had secretly sworn to himself that one day he would find a Norwegian bride of his own. Not surprisingly, Tom was eager to get to know Marilyn better. Not only was she Norwegian, but she also had a striking resemblance to Leslie Caron, one of Toms favorite actresses. Tom always felt that Marilyn must have had a little French blood in her, too, since the Vikings did get around.After selling Marilyn a life insurance policy, Tom joined the Missions Committee at Ambassadors at Marilyns invitation, hoping to get to know her better. The two continued their courtship and were married at First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach on August 10, 1963, less than a year from when they first met. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Kristen Louise, in 1968. A second daughter, Karen Anne, was born in 1970, followed by a son, Karl Erik, in 1976. Tom and Marilyn raised their children in their Innis Arden home in Shoreline, WA, which they owned from 1969 1999. Instead of a back yard, the home featured a large ravine, where the children spent much time exploring, berry picking, and playing in the beloved tree house Tom built for them. The Innis Arden community had a swimming pool, which provided hours of summer entertainment and functioned as a gathering place for the Bennetts to make many lifelong friends. Tom was an amazing father who never missed a single swim meet, soccer game, softball game, track meet, ballet recital, band concert, spelling bee, or anything else his children did. He was known as the dad with the Super 8 Camera, documenting all of his familys special events on silent films.After working for Sun Life, Tom moved to a sales position for Honeywell, where he was named Rookie of the Year in 1969. From there and until retirement, he worked for the University of Washington in various departments: at the Academic Computer Center, for the School of Nursing, and as Assistant to the Director of Branch Campus Planning, where he compiled and analyzed data used to determine the feasibility of opening UWs Bothell and Tacoma campuses. He also was a popular lecturer in the Department of Business for several years. Besides his BS in Business (UC Berkeley, 1957), he held an MBA in Business Administration (Seattle University, 1973), and a PhD in Education (University of Washington, 1980).Although his career and his credentials were important to Tom, he felt that what he did outside of work was much more valuable. He made it a priority to create wonderful memories for his family, including regular vacations, Friday night pizza at Shakeys, and frequent evenings playing board games over a bowl of popcorn. Tom had the gift of hospitality and loved welcoming the friends of his three children into the family home. He always encouraged his kids to include as many friends as possible at parties and gatherings, not wanting anyone to feel left out. He was an innovative cook and prided himself in the flavorful dishes he brought to potlucks and family gatherings. Every summer Tom would make a dozen or more pies with the berries his children picked in the ravine. He would freeze the pies to have on hand for whenever there was a need. Tom was forever taking Marilyn out on dinner dates, as their favorite mutual activity was eating delicious food. Together, they bought a timeshare condo in Whistler, Canada, and enjoyed many regular summer getaways there.In his forties, Tom played for a local adult soccer team and was on the Innis Arden Masters Swim Team. He was a longtime favorite emcee for the annual Innis Arden Christmas Party. He and Marilyn attended First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach weekly for their entire married life, participating in many church activities and serving on a variety of committees there. The joy with which Tom embraced all aspects of life was a testament to his deep faith.Tom became a father-in-law twice in 1993, welcoming sons-in-law Alan Herr and Jens Johanson and cheerfully taking out a second mortgage on the family home to pay for the weddings. The family expanded further when Tom and Marilyn became grandparents to six grandchildren within a seven-year period: Kari Louise Johanson (1999), Frances Fran Ruth Herr (2000), Leif Bennett Johanson (2001), Amelia Mia Belle Herr (2002), Maren Marie Johanson (2004) and Elsa Ruby Herr (2006). The grandch Announcement: Memorial donations can be given in Tom Bennetts name to either First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach (18354 - 8 th Ave NW; Shoreline, WA 98177, or the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association (5108 1 st Ave NW; Seattle, WA 98107).