Robert Cloud "Bob" Bennett, 89, Springfield, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2009 in Cox South Hospital. He was born October 29, 1919 in Springfield, the son of Herschel E. and Gladys G. Cloud Bennett. He was a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather. He attended Rountree and Jarrett schools and graduated from Springfield Sr. High School in 1937. After being named an All State basketball player his Sr. year in high school, he attended Missouri University on a basketball scholarship. Following his freshman year at MU he signed a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Browns organization and played one season for the Fayetteville Angels. He then enrolled at Drury College to complete his education. Bob was a WWII veteran, serving in the South Pacific where he attained the rank of Lieutenant. He worked for Prudential Insurance Company in St. Louis from 1952 to 1965 and returned to Springfield in 1965 as a Vice President at Union National Bank in charge of the Mortgage Loan Department. He retired from the bank in 1986. He served on the Board of the Directors of Maple Park Cemetery for 43 years, was a member of the Springfield Airport Board, the First Missouri Financial and Development Corporation, the Lions Club, the Kiwanis Club and the Springfield Senior Golf Association. Following retirement he worked as a Real Estate Appraiser. Bob was a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church and was an avid golfer and member of Hickory Hills Country Club. He is survived by his wife Angie Busiek Bennett; three sons, Dr. Robert Urban Bennett and wife Cynthia, Springfield, Andrew Kurt Bennett, Springfield, and Steven Busiek Bennett and wife Karin Kay Kilpatric, Boulder, CO; one brother, Herschel E. Bennett and wife Valentina, Washington, DC; a sister-in-law, Jean Bennett, Springfield; six grandchildren, Robert H. Bennett, Dallas, TX, Ashley Bennett Jones and husband Carson, Dallas, TX, Ryan T. Bennett, Springfield, Ellen E. Bennett, Springfield, Eliza C. Bennett, Boulder, CO and Sophia A. Bennett, Boulder, CO; and two brothers-in-law, Dr. Paul J. Busiek and Dr. Erwin F. Busiek. He was preceded in death by his parents and a twin brother William Perry Bennett. Those of us honored by being part of his family or his ever-widening circle of friends, had the joy of witnessing how this generous, humble man had a unique talent for warming the hearts of those with whom he came in contact. He reminded us all to recognize that humor was one of the greatest virtues of life, to love our work, family and friends intensely, to speak up and act courageously for what we valued, and to remember our ever-present debt to our ancestors, our community and to our God. He taught us many things just by being faithful to his own spirit, like how much patience, encouragement and faith it takes to really father others and what an unshakeable, deep friendship can feel like. Perhaps it would be simpler to say that he taught us what our hearts are really for. We know this because now there is a sorrowful silence in our own hearts that tells us that he is with his own Father and friend. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 in First and Calvary Presbyterian Church with Dr. Greg Seckman officiating under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Burial will precede the service at 1:00 PM in Maple Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM, Tuesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to First and Calvary Presbyterian Church or the Children's Advocacy Center.