Don William Bennett 1937-2011

BENNETT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/23/2012 at 14:17:17

Sioux City Journal
July 24, 2011

Don William Bennett, 74, formerly of Sioux City, passed away in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Monday, July 11, 2011.

Memorial services will be held 6 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Messinger Mortuary, 8555 E Pinnacle Peak Road in Scottsdale. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Sioux City.

Don was born March 6, 1937 in Sioux City. He played football and the trumpet at East High School. His band won the National Championship in Minneapolis during the American Legion Convention. He was employed as an engineer aide for Woodbury Construction Engineers office from 1956 to 1967. Don also served as an engineer aide and party chief for the Engineering Department of Sioux City from 1967 to 1971, and sold insurance during this time as well.

In 1972, Don moved to Phoenix with Sharon and their four children, and continued his work in construction surveying. Beginning in 1977, he worked with Del Webb, serving as party chief and adviser on many projects. During his career, he helped in the development of Sun City Grand and Sun City West as well as over 10 golf courses. He was chief surveyor for the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza Project as well as the Overhead Crane Project for the Western Electric Corp. After many dedicated years of hard work, Don happily retired from Stanley Consultants in 2002 at the age of 65.

Don was a lifelong "die-hard" Nebraska Cornhusker fan, and he enjoyed fishing, hunting and golfing. He and Sharon enjoyed their many road trips in his truck, "Whitey", including visits to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Flathead Lake, Redwood Forest and Sea Lion Cave. Despite his diagnosis of kidney failure nearly nine years ago, Don refused to let that stop him from enjoying life to the fullest. On the days he wasn't in dialysis, there was a very good chance you could find him on the golf course. Don's positive attitude and strength will continue to remain an inspiration to all of us.

He was deeply loved and will be truly missed by many, including Sharon, his wife of 48 years; sons Gary, Steven and David; daughter, Marcia Cunningham, as well as his 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lillian and his brother, Tom.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, 4203 E. Indian School Rd, Ste. 140, Phoenix, AZ 85018 or online at www.azkidney.org.