Capt Robert Bennett USCG

On Wednesday, September 7, 2011, CAPT Robert Frank Bennett, USCG (Ret.), sailed the final journey home to his Lord and Savior.  He navigated his life with God as his beacon and served his nation, his state, his port, and mostly his dearly loved family with the commanding presence of a Christian man.  His faith was evident in all he did as he sailed the seas of this life, and he will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

The relatives and friends of CAPT Robert Bennett are invited to attend his Funeral Service on Monday, September 12, 2011 in Providence Baptist Church at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens with full military honors.  A reception will take place at Providence Baptist Church immediately following the graveside service.  The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at J. HENRY STUHR MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL FROM 4:00 until 6:00 pm. 

CAPT Bennett was born on July 27, 1934, in Sea Girt, New Jersey, the son of the late Albert Francis and Catherine Elizabeth Chadwick Bennett. He was a 1958 graduate of the USCG Academy. Bob's USCG assignments included the Cutter Campbell, followed by a tour as Commanding Officer, Loran Station, Pusan, Korea.  Other assignments were Marine Inspection Office, NY; CG Headquarters as the Administrative Aide to the Chief, Office of Merchant Marine Safety; Merchant Marine Industry Training with Keystone Shipping Co.; Marine Inspection Office, Savannah, GA, as Executive Officer and, then, as Captain of the Port, Savannah, GA. From 1974 to 1978, he served a second tour at Headquarters. His final duty station was as Captain of the Port, Charleston, SC.

Capt. Bennett retired from active duty on August 1, 1982.  His awards included two USCG Commendation Medals, one at Coast Guard Headquarters and the other at Charleston.  He received a Commandant's Letter of Commendation involving the port visits of USSR vessels at Savannah in December 1973.  MSO Charleston received a USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation for its response to the fire on the Army dredge McFarland.  MSO Charleston was also awarded a USCG Unit Commendation for its port security work involving the USSR ship YAKOV BONDNARYENKO in February 1979.  While at Savannah, then-Commander Bennett was the Recorder on the Marine Board of Investigation into the collision of the M/V AFRICAN NEPTUNE with the Sydney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick, GA, in November 1972.

In 1985, Bob received a Master in Education Degree from The Citadel.  In January 1984, he joined the staff of the Charleston Branch Pilots' Association while also continuing marine consulting services. He developed and authored the USCG Approved Apprentice Training Course used at Charleston, SC; Savannah, GA; Brunswick, GA; Wilmington, NC; Georgetown, SC; Mobile, AL, Baton Rouge, LA, and assisted the Apprentice Training Course used by the Columbia River (Oregon) Pilots Association. He authored the Policies and Procedures Manual for the S.C. Commissioners of Pilotage.  He drafted Chapter 136 of the S.C. Code of the Regulations of the Commissioners of Pilotage and the Rules of Board of Pilotage Commissioners Saint Simons and Saint Andrews Bars, Chapter 494-1-1, Brunswick, GA.  He drafted Chapter 80 of the S.C. Code of Regulations for the S.C. Naval Militia.  He is presently a member of the S.C. Maritime Security Commission. In 2005, he received the S.C. Distinguished Service Medal.   CAPT Bennett is considered to be an historical expert on the United States Life-Saving Service.  He authored two books, Sandpounders, published by the USCG in 1999, and Surfboats, Rockets, and Carronades, published by the USCG in 1976, and reprinted by the Ocean County (NJ) Historical Society.  He revised the Coast Guardsman's Manual, Seventh Edition, published by the U.S. Naval Institute.

CAPT Bennett was presented the Beacon Award in February 2011 for his service to the Maritime community.  On November 26, 1960, he married his soul mate, Barbara Ann Bennett.  Their marriage and love lasted over 50 years and was an inspiration to all who knew them.  He had two daughters, Lorri Ann Bennett, and Susan Leigh Bennett.  He will be missed by his family, but they rest in the comfort that they will be together one day.  He will also be sadly missed by his miniature schnauzer, Heidi, who he called his princess. In his life, he lived with respect and dignity.  In his faith, he carried the armor of his Lord.  In his passing, he is missed but is waiting on the shores of heaven in the presence of his Captain on a voyage won! 

Donations may be made to his church, Providence Baptist Church, 294 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC  29492.