Robert Bob Howard Bennett

Robert Bob Howard Bennett passed suddenly from this world on January 28, 2013. Bob was living in Bismarck, ND, at his time of his passing and also spent a considerable portion of his life between the Bend, Oregon area and the San Francisco Bay area of California. A memorial get-together is being planned for February 17th in the Half Moon Bay, CA, area. Robert was born on February 21, 1969, in San Francisco, CA, and was raised and educated in South San Francisco, CA. After graduation, Bob started working in the construction field in the San Francisco Bay area and eventually formed Bennett Builders, specializing in home remodeling and interior finish work. Bob was known for his attention to detail and fine workmanship. Bob started doing taxidermy work as a hobby and a way to display his many trophy animals. He eventually started Burly's Taxidermy over the years. Bob's taxidermy work was known for his superb detail to the fine finish work. Bob won many state and regional awards including 2 world champions for his trophy mounts. Bob was highly regarded in the western US for his taxidermy work and offered assistance to other taxidermists on new techniques that he developed or used. An obituary added by a co-worker: Bob Bennett came to work at Dakota Taxidermy in November of 2012. As soon as Bob showed up he immediately became friends with the entire crew. Bob had one of those rare personalities that drew people to him. His sense of humor, sharp wit and genuine love of life made him one of those rare individuals that are a true pleasure to be around. The entire crew looked forward to coming to work coming to work knowing that Bob would undoubtedly make our day with some ridiculous off key singing or foolish antic designed purely for our entertainment. When it came to talent as a wildlife artist, Bob was second to none. A multiple state, regional champion in the Masters Division and was the recipient of two Carl E. Ackely World Championship titles, Bob cast a large shadow. Yet, for all of his success, Bob remained humble and was very willing to share his knowledge and incredible ability with anyone who asked. In conversation, Bob would joke that he took his retirement early in life, and now he would have to work in his to pay for all the fun he had early in life. He loved to share his surfing, fishing and hunting adventures with everyone. Always encouraging people that if you dream it you can do it and take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Whenever a tragedy like this happens in our, it gives us pause, and raises the question Why? As long as we are alive, we will never know the answer. Bob would have told us, "Don't worry about it, that's life". All though we only knew Bob for a short time, we can tell you without reservation, we all are much better off for knowing him. He will forever make a lasting impression on all of us. So in the years to come, when you think of Bob, I hope a smile comes upon your face and enjoy life as he did. Respectfully, The Dakota Taxidermy Crew Bob's hobbies included surfing the Pacific Ocean especially in the Half Moon Bay area of CA: bow hunting in the United States and Africa; fishing the California and Oregon lakes and rivers and deep sea fishing in the Pacific Ocean; and spending time with family and friends. Robert is survived by his parents, Floyd and Judy Bennett of Bend, OR; sister Erika Curtis Hartmann of Bismarck, ND; brother Bill Erin Bennett of Fremont, CA; three nephews and two nieces , Shane, Candace and Shania Hartmann and Liam and Clay Bennett; his grandmother, Minnie Seybold of Castro Valley, CA; aunts and uncles and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Floyd and Ruth Bennett and his maternal grandfather William Seybold. He will be deeply missed by his family; his new friends and co-workers at Dakota Taxidermy in Bismarck, ND; numerous hunting buddies and taxidermists, and friends along the west coast and especially in California and Oregon.

Robert Bob Howard Bennett

February 21, 1969 - January 28, 2013