H. B. “Buck” Bennett passed away Sunday, November 9, 2008 from a ruptured Aneurysm at Scottsdale, AZ Healthcare North. Buck was born to Margaret and Harry Bennett on July 17, 1928 in Beckley, WV.
After graduation from Beckley High School, Buck attended Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg, WV for his freshman year in college. He is graduate of West Virginia University and began his career with Dupont Explosives. He married his college Sweetheart, Sara Wilson of Clarksburg, WV in 1952. In 1955, Buck and Sara moved to Iowa where Buck opened Bennett Explosives which became established in Manchester, Iowa. Buck ND Sara have five children; Sue Orischak & husband Larry, Scottsdale, AZ, Robert Bennett & wife Barbara, Denver, CO, Rebecca Dolan & husband Patrick, Manchester, IA, William Bennett and wife Roxann, Parker, CO, and Beverly Hansen and husband, Patrick Phoenix, AZ. Buck is also survived by nine grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren, and a sister, Frances Borton of Salina, KS. Buck is preceded in death by his parents and two granddaughters.
Buck became a true cornerstone in Manchester, not only as a successful businessman, but also as a friend and mentor to countless friends and associates. He was a Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Manchester which was so important to him. Buck was a Fifty-year member of Masonic Lodge, 32nd Degree member if the Scottish Rite, El Kahir Shrine of Cedar Rapids and an active Jester. He was active in Rotary, Chamber of commerce, Manchester Enterprises, Delaware County Cattlemen’s Association, Board of Directors of Iowa’s BlueCross/Blue Shield, Hawkeye Booster Club and a Board of Director of the First State Bank of Manchester. He was active with Delaware County 4-H Clubs and was on the West Delaware County School Board. Despite his work and involvements, he found time to pursue his farming dreams by acquiring several local farms with a cow/calf operation and took great pride in producing many local 4-H championship calves.

Buck and Sara retired from Bennett Explosives in 1986. This enabled them to spend time in Arizona as well as Iowa. The Bennett’s developed a passion for tennis. They both play on several leagues year-round. Tennis was the sport in which the entire family lovingly competed with each other. Buck was an avid fisherman and hunter. He made more than fifty trips into the fly-in Lake Wabikimi in Ontario, Canada. His sons, son-in-law and grandsons were all initiated int this tradition which was the rite of passage into manhood.
Buck and Sara Bennett loved to travel. They made numerous trips to Wimbledon, the Holy Lands, Europe, and destinations throughout the USA where their man friends reside. Somehow Buck Bennett still found time to volunteer three day a week at the Mayo Clinic. His most rewarding volunteer work was serving and aiding ALS patients and friends. Buck Bennett will always be known to his many, many friends and his family as a “straight shooting”, honest man, who most loved God, Sara, his family and his community. The world will never be the same without him but will always be better because of him.
A memorial service is planned at mountain View Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, AZ., on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 5 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in Manchester, Iowa at 3 PM.