 Jack W. Bennett (1997) from photo by Annalese Poorman |
To the friends, colleagues, and students of Jack Bennett: It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Dean Jack Bennett passed away early this morning. This is a great loss to the profession of optometry, to Indiana University, and a great personal loss. Gerald E. Lowther, Dean |
For information or assistance, please call Sue Gilmore at 812-855-4440 or e-mail her at sgilmore@indiana.edu.
The family has requested that, in place of flowers, anyone wishing to do so may make a memorial contribution to:
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Notes and cards can be sent to:
Mrs. Alice Bennett |
Dr. Jack Winn Bennett, 67, of Bloomington died Friday at home. He was born (October 23, 1932) and raised in Bloomington, Indiana. He graduated from Bloomington High School. He married his wife, Alice Bauer Bennett (also a Bloomington native) in 1952. He attended Indiana University for two years prior to going into the U.S. Army for 3 years during the Korean War where he served as an optical technician. He then returned to Indiana University receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Optometry in 1958 and Master of Optometry degree in 1959.
Dr. Bennett practiced optometry in Bloomington from 1959 until 1970 when he became an Associate Professor of Optometry and Director of Patient Care at the Indiana University School of Optometry. He was on the Indiana University faculty until he became the founding dean of the College of Optometry at Ferris State University in Michigan. He developed the optometry program in Michigan and was the dean there until 1988. In addition to being the dean of the optometry program he also served at different times as the Executive Assistant to the President and Vice President for Administrative Affairs at Ferris State University.
In 1988 Dean Bennett returned to Indiana University as Dean of the School of Optometry, where he served until he retired from the position in 1998 when he became Dean Emeritus. Following his retirement from the dean's position at Indiana University, he was recruited to take the position of Dean of the School of Optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He held this position from January 1999 until April 2000.
Dean Bennett was very active in professional organizations serving on many state and national committees. He served as president of the Indiana Optometric Association from 1968 to 1970 and a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Optometric Association from 1974 until 1979. He was president of the Michigan Association of Professionals. He also served as president of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and on various boards of directors including the Indiana Society for the Prevention of Blindness; the International Library, Archives and Museum of Optometry; Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry; and the American Optometric Foundation. He was a Distinguished Practitioner of the National Academies of Practice and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
He received many awards including Distinguished Service to Optometry, Meritorious Service, and the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Indiana Optometric Association; Indiana Optometrist of the Year; Professional Man of the Year from the Michigan Association of the Professions; and named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon.
Dean Bennett was also involved in many community activities and organizations--including the Jaycees, Rotary, Elks, Chamber of Commerce, United Fund, Little League, Boy Scouts, and his church governing board.
Dean Bennett is survived by his mother, Marie Bennett; two sisters, Barbara Terhune of Monrovia, IN and Connie Gaydosh of San Jose, CA; his wife Alice; four children Debra Bennett VanDeventer of Columbus, IN; Jack Bradley Bennett of Grand Rapids, MI; Susan Bennett-Paluch of Chicago, IL; Mark Bennett of Chicago, IL; and 9 grandchildren.
Presented from the IU School of Optometry faculty, staff, and students to Dr. Bennett on Tuesday, April 25, 2000
Whereas, on August 1, 1988, the Board of Trustees of Indiana University appointed Dr. Jack W. Bennett as Dean of the Indiana University School of Optometry where he served in that role with distinction for 10 years, and
Whereas, Dr. Jack W. Bennett contributed significantly to the service of optometry, leadership in the profession, and development of the clinical education and training of students at the Indiana University School of Optometry, and
Whereas, Dr. Jack W. Bennett has been recognized for his commitment to the well-being of all students and faculty, past and present, and their academic and professional success, and
Whereas, Dr. Jack W. Bennett has been recognized for his participation in community activities which include church, school board, service clubs, Little League, Boy Scouts, and campus co-chair of the United Way campaign, and
Whereas, Dr. Jack W. Bennett contributed many years of service to the profession of optometry as the founding Dean of the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State, and
Whereas, Dr. Jack W. Bennett was asked to serve as Dean of the School of Optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, thus becoming one of only three academic leaders in the history of academic optometry to achieve the stature of serving as dean at three schools of optometry, be it therefore
Resolved, that the faculty and staff of the Indiana University School of Optometry express their gratitude for Dr. Bennett's tireless efforts and commitment, and be it further
Resolved, that Dr. Jack W. Bennett be recognized for his service to Indiana University, the School of Optometry, the profession, and the community.
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URL: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/bennett/bennett.htm Revised: May 1, 2000 | |
 | IU Optometry home page: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/ Comments: Web Administrator Original page design and coding: Terri Greene Copyright © 2000, The Trustees of Indiana University |
