Final Salute

Eric Ransom Bennett Sr. passed away peacefully on December 21, 2022, after a series of complications following surgery. He is survived by three sons: Eric Jr. (aka Rick), Andrew (Kerri) and Robert “Jay” (Pamela); five grandchildren: Jacob, Paige, Andrew II, Sarah, and Alexander; and two dear Mexican exchange students, Gerardo Trevino (Sandra) with their daughters (Ana Paola and Cecilia) and Caridad Trevino (Rafael).

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Anita, his grandson Parker, brother Wallace “Buck”, and parents.

Eric was born August 24, 1942 in Washington D.C. to Luther and Margaret Bennett. He grew up in Arlington VA, Detroit, and Johannesburg South Africa. After graduating from Washington Lee High School, he attended Virginia Tech and enlisted in R-O-T-C. He met and married Anita Berhalter after their junior year in college. Upon graduating from college and completing Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as a Naval Officer in the Civil Engineering Corp and was stationed in Jacksonville, FL, Argentia, Newfoundland, and Port Hueneme, CA.

After completing his four years of active duty, they settled in Rochester, NY where he earned his MBA and worked for Kodak, while he also continued as an officer with the Naval Reserve Construction Battalions. Eric and Anita later moved their family to Plainfield, IN where he advanced in his career working for RCA, Thompson, and UMM. Later they relocated to Rockford MI and over the next twenty-five years worked as COO for several companies until starting his own consulting company. During this time, Eric also retired from the U.S. Navy as a Captain on August 24, 2002

Before his wife’s passing, they both enjoyed traveling all over the world and especially spending several weeks at their beloved cabin on Borden Lake in Chapeau Ontario. Eric was always “at home” in the North woods. He loved hiking and taking his dog for daily walks in a park near his home. He continued his travels until shortly before his passing. He volunteered for a number of organizations, not limited to: treasurer to Roadtrek, Home Repair Services, and AARP VITA program.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Assumption Catholic Church, 6390 Belmont Ave NE, Belmont, MI 49306 on March 17, 2023 at 11 a.m. The family will have visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Internment will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, One Memorial Drive, Arlington, VA

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau

225 Cordova Street
Anchorage, AK 99501-2409