Bob's Funeral Service Video

Robert J. Bennett, age 87, of Greenville, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, peacefully at home.  He was born to the late Albert and Leona (Mews) Bennett in Neenah on April 3, 1934.  Bob and Patricia (Patty) Wood were duped by Don and Georgie Bennett into a date; that flourished into the "Big City Bob" family with 10 children. They had 50 wonderful years of marriage united on December 19, 1970. He took the checkered flag on his final lap, surrounded by his loving family after a gathering with joyful memories full of laughter, stories, and fellowship of his adventurous life.

Bob graduated from Hortonville High School Class of 1952. He went on to learn the welding trade and traveled extensively across the US. He served his country in the US Army, stationed in Germany. He served as a Corporal, became a Field Artillery Plotter, and an award-winning sharpshooter. After returning home from his military service, Bob worked as a Welder and Fabricator at Allis-Chalmers, previously Valley Iron Works, then started his own business, Bob's Auto Sales until he retired.

One of Bob's passions was to rebuild and fly airplanes. At 34 years old, while he was flying his airplane fox hunting, he hit an air pocket causing the plane to nosedive from an altitude of 500 feet and crashed in a field of waist-deep snow. His body was crushed and he sustained over 134 fractures throughout his body. It took several surgeries to install multiple pins, plates, rods and screws to hold him together. Later on in his life, he regained the passion to fly again and purchased more planes.

He and Patty also had a love for beekeeping and started a business called Mr. B's Honey. As a commercial beekeeper, they mostly sold locally, and had a successful large barrel production. They had over 800 hives in 32 different locations, in the Fox Valley area. He also had a love for all of God's creatures having animals of all kinds throughout his life. He instilled his love of animals to his children.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed racing, from soapbox derby, motorcycles, snowmobiles and stock car racing and was a pioneer of auto racing in Northeast Wisconsin. Bob traveled the Midwest racing USAC and IMCA sanctioned events.  He was well known at all the local tracks and was the track promoter of Seymour Speedway, WRRA President in Shiocton and FRRC President at WIR in Kaukauna. Bob was part of converting Shawano fairgrounds from a horse racing track to a Speedway.

Special Titles: 1971 USSA World Snowmobile Champion, 1973 FRRC Champion, hundreds of wins including heats, features and consolation races. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Shawano Speedway, The Oshkosh Speedway and the Wisconsin International Raceway.

Bob had a near-death experience from his 1968 plane crash and it became his passion to learn about Jesus and where he would be spending eternity. The more he learned about heavenly things, the more he wanted to share the gospel message of Jesus to everyone he met. His love for God was instilled into his family and he taught many bible studies in his home and wherever he was able to share God's plan.

One of his favorite verses to share was the beginning of the church in Acts 2:38-39.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patty; children: Lowell (Susannah), Braden (Christine), Katherine, Timothy (Tina), David (Julie), Aaron (girlfriend Rachel Turner), Rebecca (Nathan) Oberg, Joel (Heather), Rachel (Heath) Barber and Ruthie (David) Cooper; grandchildren, Braison (Megan), Kaylynn (Justin) Gretzinger, Season, Jessica, Jurnee, Chase, Kassandra Glodowski, Shaun Glodowski, Jana (Ryan) Nantelle, Rece, Seth, Dawson, Lilyanne, Brooke, Cole; Aria Demerath; Tristan, Bella, Robert; Hoyt, Ailee & Kinlee Oberg; Willow, Jett, Roczen; Caleb & Zeke Barber; Callen & Jordy Cooper; great-grandchildren, Kendall Bennett and Delilah Gretzinger; special cousin, Charles Lee, New Jersey and Bob's first wife, Monica Marmes.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald and his brothers and sisters-in-law, JoAnne Wendt, Jean Ottensmann, Mary Wendt and Rick LaPean.

The funeral for Bob will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Apostolic Truth Church, 2720 Kesting Ct. Appleton, with Rev. Aaron Soto officiating.  The visitation will take place from 9-11a.m. Full military honors will take place at the church following the ceremony. Family and friends are welcome to attend the luncheon at Romy's following the service; as well as the burial at Union Cemetery in Hortonville at 3 p.m.

The family would like to give special thanks and our Blessings to all of the wonderful staff of the Greenville First Responders, Gold Cross Ambulance, St. Joseph Residence, ThedaCare Appleton Hospital, and ThedaCare Hospice, who cared so lovingly for our patriarch.

Happy is the man that has his quiver full. Love you Honey, Bobby, Dad, Grandpa