Clyde Bennett

Clyde Cicero Bennett JR, or “Buck” as he was known to his family and friends was born on October 4, 1918 to Clyde Cicero Bennett SR and Cecil (Collins) Bennett on Bennett’s Hill, in Houdathotit, Alabama. In 1928 his parents and younger brother Jim moved to Birmingham, Michigan, then a small village north of Detroit. The brothers attended a one room schoolhouse on Wing Lake in Bloomfield Hills. Buck graduated from Birmingham High school in 1935 at the age of 16. He enrolled at Antioch college in Ohio where attended for two years.

After leaving Antioch Buck worked several jobs until he was hired in 1939 by the Jam Handy Organization as a mail room clerk. He delivered mail to several buildings in Detroit that were owned by JHO. Buck was noticed for his hard work and clever mind; eventually he was promoted to the Slide-film production department where he made $13 a week!

In 1940 Wendell Wilke made his first presidential run against FDR and Buck voted in his first presidential election. The US congress passed the Selective Service Act and all males over the age of 18 were issued a draft number. Buck’s number was low; he realized he would be drafted within the year. Buck decided to enlist and with a JHO promise that his job would be waiting for him when he returned, Buck joined the armed services and entered the Army in 1941. Five years later in February 1946 he retired his service as a Captain.

Buck’s five years in the Army provided numerous experiences both stateside and overseas that served him well for the rest of his life. He enjoyed reminiscing about Army life with other veterans of WWII as well as sharing stories of the war and his experiences with his family.

Buck married Elizabeth Hamill in Detroit, MI on June 17, 1942, seven days after his graduation from Officer’s Training School. The Army sent Buck to Fort Monroe, VA where he and Betty began their married life together. Their first-born son, Clyde C. Bennett III was born the following year, August 26, 1943. Bucky, as he was known, predeceased both Buck and Betty in death at the age four due to a car accident. This was truly one of the great tragedies of Buck’s life. William H. Bennett and Priscilla V (Rachael) Bennett were born later to complete their family.

Upon his discharge from the Army Buck and Betty retuned to Birmingham, MI where he resumed a career with the JHO. In 1960 Buck was hired to run George Romney’s successful gubernatorial election campaign. After the election in 1961, Buck accepted a job with Young and Rubicam and was later named the Account Executive for Chrysler’s advertising program.

During Buck’s rise in the advertising industry, Betty was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had several remissions as well as setbacks. She eventually lost her battle and died in April 1966. Despite her illness, Betty decided that she wanted to take Bill, Rachael and Buck on a trip around the world as her last gift to her beloved family. They took the children out of school and for 2 months traveled to Athens, Cairo, New Delhi, the Taj Mahal, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Osaka, Tokyo as well as an amazing 3-week safari in Africa. Buck reminisced about that trip on and off for the remainder of his life.

Following Betty’s death, Buck began spending time with a now single friend, Mary June Matthews. June and Buck both came of age in the Birmingham community and had many friends in common. Now both single, they started to spend time together. Their friendship grew and they eventually married on June 21, 1967. Buck inherited three more children; Scott, Susan and Laura Matthews. Their blended family now included 5 teenagers who all moved into a house together in Bloomfield Village. It was a period of many adjustments. Fortunately, all challenges were met with love, grit and plenty of prayers!

By 1971 the enchanted life in advertising had run its course and Buck was looking for new business opportunities. At the same time his father was looking for a partner in his growing Florida real estate office. Buck decided to retire from Young and Rubicam and pursue a new career as a realtor and broker.

Initially, Buck worked for Weir, Manual, Snyder and Bennett in Birmingham, MI. Shorty Snyder and Buck’s father Clyde were business partners in Birmingham until Clyde moved to Florida in 1959. The real estate agency kept the Bennett name due to its long-standing reputation of excellence in the community. And now several decades later Buck was employed there learning the trade. Buck was a quick study. A year later, with all 5 children off in college, he and June moved to Deland, Florida where Buck began what turned into a rewarding 30-year career in real estate.

After his father Clyde retired, Buck became CEO, and Broker of the Bennett Realtors and Commercial Development Company. Throughout Buck’s long residence in Deland he contributed to the welfare and growth of the community in many ways. Buck was the Rotary Club President, Committee of 100 President, Vestry member of St Barnabas Episcopal Church, Commodore of the Lake Beresford Yacht Club, member of Deland Country Club, Barnett Bank Board member and owner and developer of Main Street Center whereby he renovated a historical downtown building that helped revitalize downtown Deland. Buck was indeed a visionary and dedicated himself to his family and community at large.

In 1998 Buck and June began to spend their summers at a lake front cottage in Glenn Arbor, MI. They enjoyed the cottage for several summers until Buck retired from the Bennett Corporation at the age of 80. In 2001 Buck and June were introduced to Glacier Hills by a sorority sister of June’s. They decided this would make a perfect place to retire and so they moved back to Michigan in 2002 and into the Glacier Hills Senior Living Community in Ann Arbor, MI where they lived happily for 14 and 18 years respectively.

Buck and June enjoyed 49 years of marriage together before June’s death in January 2016. He stated in his memoir, “The first year or so, getting adjusted to a new family, did not bode well for that longevity but it has become a wonderfully rich, warm and loving life. I would happily do it again- even the first couple of years.”

Buck was a man of faith; and his life reflected his Christian values and principals.

He treasured his many friends from all walks of life. Buck loved playing golf, first at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills and later at the Deland Country Club in Florida. Buck and June enjoyed countless trips to Europe; Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Venice, England, Holland and the Holy Land in Israel to name a few. Buck was a talented amateur photographer who discovered great joy in capturing the beauty of nature, especially in the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan. Buck was a man hardwired for technology. As soon as a new computer or device was released, he was ready for the purchase. In Buck’s later years he would spend hours on his computer or reading books on his iPad or Kindle. Buck also enjoyed his time in the Glacier Hills Writer’s Group. He produced many lovely essays that gave his family and co-writers a glimpse into his world of observation and thought. He had an amazing gift with the written word.

While living in Ann Arbor Buck was a member of St. Andrews church, the Ann Arbor club, the VP’s and a loyal volunteer and supporter of the Glacier Hills community. He was an active participant of the Manor and Meadows Friday afternoon wine and cheese gatherings as well as meeting a special group of friends every Monday evening in the Meadows Café. Buck celebrated his 101st birthday in October with his family and a few close friends.

Buck was preceded in death by his parents, his brother James H Bennett, his wives, Elizabeth Hamill and Mary June Hastreiter Matthews; his son, Clyde C Bennett III; and his grandson, Tyler S. Howard. Buck is survived by his children William Bennett (Debra Frano), Rachael Bennett, Scott Matthews (Ruth Azar), Susan Vanker (David), Laura Matthews (Ford Howard), 8 grandchildren; Ryan, David and Kate Bennett, Jessica Matthews Lemon, Lauren Matthews, Jaime Vanker Peykoff, Jennifer Vanker McCuiston and Alison Howard as well as 15 ½ great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on January 31, 2020 at Glacier Hills in Ann Arbor, MI followed by a private burial at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Memorial contributions can be made to:

The Glacier Hills Foundation- June Bennett Scholarship Fund

1200 Earhart Rd

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105

Post Note: Buck’s family extends their deepest gratitude to Dr. Cheryl Huckins, and the wonderful nurses, techs and CNA’s who cared for him during the last year of his life. And, to the staff and administrators, past and present, at Glacier Hills who enriched his life and well-being for the past 18 years- Thank you!