Charles Richard Bennett

AIKEN, SC – CHARLES RICHARD “DICK” BENNETT, 85, beloved husband of Audrey Dawson Bennett, died Thursday, November 27, 2008 at his residence following an extended illness. Dick was born in the United Fruit Company Hospital in Quiguia, Guatemala . He was a son of the late George Southerland and Dora Annie Schutt Bennett of Jackson, MI. He was educated at the Thatcher School in Ojai Valley, CA, Cornell University, Ithica, NY and received a degree in Electrical Engineering from California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA. Dick served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked for 37 years with Texaco, Inc., serving in Panama, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Canary Islands, New York City and Coral Gables, FL. He retired in January 1985 as Director of Operations, Sales and Marketing for Latin America, West Africa and Coral Gables, FL. Survivors include his wife Audrey Dawson Bennett, a son, Charles Richard (Donna) Bennett, Jr. Alexandria, LA, a step-son, William Dawson Lassiter, Concord, NC, a step-daughter, Jill Lassiter Chesser, Aiken, three step-grandchildren, Sarah Meghan Lassiter, Courtney Dawson Chesser and Joel Bennett Chesser and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, George S. and Polly Bennett, Jr., and his sister and brother-in-law, Grace Bennett and Don Grefe. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 4 PM at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Rd., Aiken, SC. The family will receive friends at Houndslake Country Club following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice. Please visit the online memorial at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com . To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Richard Bennett, please visit our flower store.