Paul Edmond Bennett

Paul Bennett, 88, of Evansville, passed away Monday, July 16, 2012, at Newburgh Health Care. He was born June 27, 1924, in Somerville, MA to William Francis Jr. and Ellen Elizabeth (Cotter) Bennett. His parents were second generation Irish immigrants. Paul was the second of five children and he grew up in Medford, MA.

During WWII, Paul was an Electronic Technician in the US Navy. He earned his BS degree at the University of Massachusetts and his MS degree at Pennsylvania State University. He worked at the Underwater Sound Lab in New London, CN and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA. During the “Cold War,” Paul worked for several Research and Development firms in central Pennsylvania. This work was highly classified, including electronic detection equipment flown on satellites and detection devices for submarines. In 1976, he came to Evansville to teach Electrical Engineering Technology, a new program at what was then ISUE. While there he wrote one textbook. He was a life member of IEEE, and served as advisor to the IEEE Student Section at USI. He also served as Chair of the International Division of the American Society for Engineering Education. He retired from USI in 1992. He felt that teaching at USI was the most rewarding work he had done.

In his younger years, he enjoyed ice hockey. Later he enjoyed sailing, especially racing his Sunfish. He became an experienced birder and participated actively in the Evansville Audubon Society. Over the years Paul sang in several church choirs, the last being Bethlehem UCC where he was a member. He was a member of the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus.

Paul is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn Gove Bennett; daughter, Cynthia (Ralf Kästner) Bennett; sons, David P. and Steven W. (Carol Wierzbicki) Bennett; granddaughter, Clara S. Bennett; brother, Vincent B. (Lucile) Bennett; nieces and nephews.