Robert Bennett's Obituary
Robert Bennett, Lifelong Advocate for Social and Economic Justice, Dies at 68
Robert (Bob) Bennett, a transformative leader in the health and social services field, died suddenly on Friday, June 2 following a hit and run accident in Oakland, California. He was 68.
He was born in Dearborn, Michigan on June 1, 1949 to Roland and Helen Bennett. He grew up in Flint, Michigan, and attended Flint Southwestern High School. He graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1971 summa cum laude with a B.A. in philosophy, and from the University of California, Berkeley in 1978 with a Master’s Degree in history.
Bob spent his early career in the nonprofit sector, and in 1984 he founded Resource Development Associates, (RDA) one of the nation’s premier consulting firms devoted to promoting social and economic justice through the use of data-driven planning, resource development, evaluation and research. For the next 20 years, he was a major force in cutting edge public systems transformations, including establishing Children’s System of Care, the Washington State Mental Health Transformation Plan, the Oakland Homeless Families Program, and San Francisco and Alameda County’s first Juvenile Justice Local Action Plans. He was also a leader in the development of Neighborhood Family Resource Centers and community-based approaches to reducing infant mortality. During the 1990’s, he raised over $500 million for RDA clients, including $100 million for economic revitalization in Oakland.
He returned to the nonprofit sector in 2004 when he was appointed President and CEO of the Felton Institute (formerly known as Family Service Agency of San Francisco), where he served until his retirement in 2015. Bob grew Felton, which traces its roots back to 1889, into a $20 million award-winning organization with 46 programs in 11 languages at multiple sites throughout the greater Bay Area. In 2014 he was honored by the National Behavioral Health Council Science-to-Service award, and received an Appie Award from Salesforce for the best nonprofit application. At the time of his death, he was working on developing strategies to use machine learning and big data applications to impact poverty and systemic injustice.
In an era where confidence in government institutions is crumbling, Bob stands as an example of steadfast dedication to the continuous improvement of public systems and their potential for being a force for good. His faithfulness to the call of public service resulted in a consistent influence that transformed lives and made a far-reaching impact that will last for generations.
Bob is survived by his wife of 24 years, Patricia Bennett, his children Eric, Jeremy, Julia and her husband David, Josh, and Sara; his former wives Elaine Bennett, mother of Eric and Barbara Cowan, mother of Jeremy and Julia; and an extended family of friends from every walk of life. A private funeral for family members will be held for Bob on Friday, June 9 at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, and a memorial service celebrating his life is planned for later this summer. Should friends desire, contributions should be made to the Felton Institute or the ACLU.
Private Services will be held.
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