Richard Bennett

Published on 21/05/2021

Richard Bennett A Tribute to Richard Bennett It comes with huge sadness that we announce the sudden death of Richard Bennett a well known and loved local man, a true Andovarian. Born in Andover Memorial Hospital in November 1951, he was educated at Portway Primary and Andover Boys Secondary Schools. He had various employments during his early teens and saved to go travelling on two occassions firstly to North Africa, Morroco, Tunisia & Marrakesh and secondly across Europe, through Spain, France, Belgium & Holland (long before gap years were invented!) During the early 1970's he worked for Martin Thomas and then for a short while for Preformed Line Products, who he joined again in 1987 for 33 Years until he retired in November 2019. His wife Joyce has received letters of condolence from both the past and present Managing Directors of Richard's time with them. He married Joyce in 1975 and they were devoted to each other for 46 years. They shared joint interests of reading and the cinema, particularly Science Fiction. They enjoyed eating out and Holidaying in Weymouth and along the Dorset coast. It came as a great surprise to his wife and family that he chose Judo as his sport. Richard held a Black Belt 3rd Dan in Judo, he had been doing Judo (Covid allowing) on a regular basis for fifty plus years including Teaching and Refereeing for 35 years . He was a fount of knowledge especially in relation to Judo Katas, a formalised method of demonstrating Judo techniques, and he was able to both demonstrate and teach these. He taught hundreds of students, both Adults and Children and he was very well respected, and made many friends through his years of dedication to Judo. He took over and ran the Keiko Judo Club from Ken Smith which was held at Cricketers Way Community Centre, and moved to St Peters Hall around 40 years ago. Senior Judo Associates Mackensie Smith and Dave Bickley have been very informative and supportive to his wife and sister Janet. The club propose to award a Trophy in Richards name to a recipient (adult or child) yearly from now on. All of Richards family are so appreciative of the words of comfort and sympathy they have received. From his dear friends, his work mates and his fellow Judo Associates. He was always cheerful and we will treasure his memory, miss him forever, because quite simply he was 'One of life's Good Guys'. Warp speed ahead Richard...... Due to Covid, a Private family funeral will be held at Charlton Park Crematorium on the 19th May followed by a small (by invitation) celebratory party. Kindly forward any donations in Richards name to the British Heart Foundation.

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