THOMAS BAUER BENNETT
Thomas Bauer Bennett, 89, of Alpena, passed away peacefully at Davison Home on Saturday, March 2, 2019. He was born Oct. 6, 1929 in Akron, Ohio to the late Thomas and Irene (Bauer) Bennett. On March 21, 1953 he married Laura Ransom; she preceded him in death on March 16, 1986. He married Lorraine Graham on July 13, 1993; she preceded him in death Feb. 6, 2019.
Tom was raised in Dexter, Mich., where he captained the 1946 state championship football team. He then played four years of football at Albion College and graduated in 1951 with a B.A. in Biological Science. He received a Master’s Degree in Biology from the University of Michigan. After teaching and coaching in Reading and Big Rapids, Mich., he came to Alpena in 1959. He spent the next 29 years teaching biology and drivers’ education, coaching track and cross country, and raising a family. He started the cross country program at Alpena High, won the Delta College Invitational five straight years, founded the Northeast Michigan Championship track meet and the Northland Invitational track meet. He coached cross country at Alpena Community College from 1989-1993. Tom was a life member of University of Michigan Alumni Association and Optimist Club International, and was inducted into the Alpena Sports Hall of Fame. After retiring from Alpena Public Schools, he pursued his lifelong love of photography. He and his wife Lorraine created Memory Bank Photography and exhibited nature photos in several area galleries. They took many travels in search of the perfect pictures.
Surviving are daughter Cathy (Ed) Vlcek, son Robert (Michelle) Bennett, stepdaughter Julie Behning; seven grandchildren, Jenelle (Scott) Edwards, Nathan Vlcek, Logan Isaacs, Jordan (Maggie) Isaacs, Stephanie Behning, Branden Behning, Shane Behning; two great- grandchildren, Colton and Garrett Edwards, his brother Jim (Shirley) and several nephews.
Tom has been taken for cremation from McWilliams Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 8, 2019 at Resurrection Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. with Rev. Phil Phifer officiating. Memorials may be made in his name to McLaren Hospice Sunrise Side or the Resurrection Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be registered at www.mcwilliamsfh.com.