Vernon Bradley (Brad) Bennett, age 94, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018 at Silvergate Retirement Home in Fallbrook, California.
Born in 1924 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Dr. and Mrs. E.B. Bennett, Brad was the eldest of three children. He met Lini Fonteyn, his wife, in 1950 while both were vacationing on the French Riviera. After a whirlwind romance, they married on December 23, 1950 in Lini's family homeland, the Netherlands. They then relocated to Bakersfield, California.
Brad is survived by his wife Lini of nearly 68 years, daughters Sandy, Teri Evelyn, Maura, son Kevin, granddaughter Elizabeth, grandson Garrett as well as Brad's brother Jerry and his wife Phoebe. Brad was preceded in death by his sister Maxine and husband Rush Dawe of Glendale.
After Brad graduated from Glendale High School, he was accepted to Notre Dame University and joined the Navy in 1941, serving in the South Pacific, Philippines, Japan and Korea. He joined the Navy's V-12 officers program and became a 1st Lieutenant. He continued to serve in the naval reserve for 30 years.
After military service, he returned to Notre Dame to complete his bachelor's degree. He was an athlete, sprinter and relay runner winning many medals for the Fighting Irish, his beloved school. Years later he received his masters' degree from USC.
He began his teaching career at Bakersfield Junior High School in 1951 and was additionally in charge of chickens and taught the students how to raise and care for them. He moved on to Baldwin Park H.S. for two years and then moved to West Covina High School and was one of the original faculty teachers working a long career before retiring in 1984. In addition to math, typing and business classes, he coached gymnastics and the cross-country team and was pivotal in the development of the Mt. San Antonio College Cross Country Invitational, famous throughout the United States. The team under his guidance went on to CIF finals numerous times. Coach Bennett spent considerable time with members of each year's team developing and honing their skills and enjoying their successes.
Upon his retirement in 1984 from West Covina High School, Brad and Lini moved to a 2-acre farm in Fallbrook, California, growing and caring for a 200-lime tree grove until the age of 93 working 4-6 hours a day, 7 days a week. Brad will be remembered as a hard worker, always doing his best, never giving up and having high ideals and expectations for himself and others around him. Brad was also a very honest individual and had a dry sense of humor.
Brad will be buried, with honors, at the Miramar National Cemetery on December 4, 2018 at 1 p.m. The address is 5795 Nobel Dr. San Diego, CA 92122 phone (858) 658-7369.
A memorial will take place January 20, 2019, where his life will be honored and celebrated.
Dad, I hope you are happy running up and down hills once again with joy and a free spirit