Patrick Clarence Bennett

Patrick (Pat) Bennett, the fun-loving, academic-advising, joke-telling, Hawaiian-shirt-wearing, loving, caring, colleague, friend, coach, father, grandfather and husband, of Rochester Hills, Michigan died at home on October 1, 2024. He was born on May 1, 1951 in Port Huron Michigan to Edward and Dorothy Bennett. Husband to Nancy Stepanian-Bennett. Beloved youngest brother of Joan, Mary-Katherine, Jim (Joyce), Martha and Margaret-Ann. Cherished brother-in-law to Karen (John), Bobby (Cindy) and Kathy (Bill). The best father to Jamie (Katy), Daniel (Julie), Chris (Emily) and Peter (Katrina). Adoring Grandfather or “Patchy”, to Judd, Jacob, Millie, Sadie, Ella and Cooper. Uncle to his many nieces and nephews whom he loved and held dear.

Growing up in Port Huron, Pat’s lifelong love for sports began. He graduated from Port Huron Catholic High School in 1969, where he played both basketball and football alongside his best friend and teammate, Tim McBrien. Raised so closely to Lake Huron, Pat learned to sail where he had fun crewing on several Port Huron to Mackinac sailboat races.

After high school, Pat enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly earned the nickname, “Dammit Bennett” from his commanding officers, where he served as a Hospital Corpsman. Living by the virtues of the Allman Brothers, Crosby Stills & Nash and the Grateful Dead, Pat always boasted that he single handedly kept the Vietcong out of Jacksonville, Florida.

Upon leaving the Navy, Pat attended college where he met the love of his life for 47 years, Nancy. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1979 after teaching everything he knew to Magic Johnson and helping the Spartans win the National Championship.

Pat’s love for education continued as he earned his Master’s degree at Oakland University and would go on to a career in administration at Oakland for 30 years, receiving numerous awards and honors. Pat treasured the lifelong friendships he made at Oakland. He left a lasting impact on faculty, staff and thousands of students throughout his tenure. Pat was never seen without a ballcap on his head to reflect his love for the Tigers, Spartans and Oakland.

Pat’s personal and professional approach was seen in a quote on his office wall and email signature— where he not only believed, but modeled the immortal words of philosopher (guitarist) Jimi Hendrix, “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.”

One of the great joys in Pat’s life was coaching and playing softball with his team, The Educators. Under Pat’s tutelage, The Educators won multiple championships and achieved a winning percentage that even his friend Greg Kampe would envy. Pat went on to become the winningest Summer and Fall, Thursday night, men’s slow pitch softball coach in the state of Michigan.

Pat and Nancy lovingly raised four sons in Rochester Hills where Pat instilled his love for sports in his sons as trips to the ballpark, stadium or arena became part of the weekly routine. He served as their coach in many sports and was their biggest supporter on the sidelines while oftentimes playing referee and tag team partner in living room wrestling matches.

In retirement, Pat’s love turned to spending time and listening to the laughter of his six grandchildren. Each one of them always brought a smile to Patchy’s face. Family was Pat’s highest priority and he considered his friends family, but it started and ended with Nancy, his wife, life partner and best friend. Pat lived his life with love, faith in God, generosity, integrity and humor…obviously.

Please join Pat’s family on Friday, November 15 between 3pm and 7pm in the Oakland Center’s Banquet Room B on the campus of Oakland University to complete Pat’s wishes to have a casual party filled with love and laughter and sharing happy stories in his honor.

Appetizers and refreshments will be served.

Banquet Room B

312 Meadow Brook Rd

Rochester, MI 48309

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s can be dedicated in Pat’s name.

www.kirkgibsonfoundation.org/donate