Robert Allen Bennett died Monday, February 19, 2018 at his home in Portland. He was 86.
Robert was born August 29, 1931 in Heppner, Oregon, to Edgar and Lola Bennett. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Oregon in 1954, then served two years with the U.S. Army Armored Combat Training Center in Fort Irwin, California.
He married Virginia Lee Rose in 1955. She preceded him in death in 2003.
Robert graduated from the University of Oregon Law School in 1960 and joined the Portland law firm of Lenon & Willner, beginning a 45 year legal career ending with his retirement from the firm, now known as Bennett Hartman Morris & Kaplan, LLP, in 2005. He served on numerous professional bodies including the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors, Multnomah Bar Association and Professional Liability Fund, and was an early president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association in 1972-73. But his most gratifying recognition came in 2000 as the first recipient of the Robert A. Bennett Professionalism Award from the Oregon Academy of Family Law Practitioners.
An avid high school athlete, Robert enjoyed skiing, tennis and golf, as well as travel and a good mystery novel, and treasured time with his grandchildren.
Along with his wife, Robert was preceded in death by a brother, Donald. He is survived by son, Tom Bennett; daughter and son-in-law, Georgia and Mike Strawbridge; and grandchildren, Ty and Autumn Rose Strawbridge.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, February 25, 2018, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 3228 S.W. Sunset Blvd., Portland.