Robert "Bob" Allen Bennett

Lifetime Walla Walla resident Robert A. Bennett (Bob) passed away on August 7, 2024, in Spokane Valley, WA. Bob was born in 1944 to Fred and Jean Bennett of Walla Walla.

After graduating from Walla Walla High School in 1962, Bob spent two years at Washington State University before returning home to finish his education with a B.A. in History from Whitman College. In 1968 he met his future wife Carol Goodwin when cashing a check at her window at Seattle First National Bank. They married a year later and were blessed with two daughters, Kendra and Shelley Coster (Steve).

A businessman all his life, Bob’s first venture was Bennett Printing located on Palouse St., through which he parlayed his love of history by self-publishing three books on the history of Walla Walla – “Portrait of A Western Town,” “A Town Built to Be a City,” and “A Nice Place to Raise a Family.” One of his more widely known books, “We’ll All Go Home in the Spring,” included personal accounts of pioneers traveling west on the Oregon Trail.

While raising his family with Carol, Bob partnered with his father to run Bennett Golf Cars. Other business ventures included the Ace of Clubs, and briefly, Outrageous Taco in the early 1970’s. However, when he and Carol purchased Clarette’s in 1995, Bob fulfilled his dream of owning a family-style restaurant, which continued for over 25 years until it sold in 2023. He highly valued the many staff members, business partners, and customers he had the opportunity to work with over the years.

Those who knew Bob knew he was a man of many hobbies. He especially enjoyed playing golf and meeting for coffee with a dedicated group of friends for over 50 years. Other interests included travel, cooking, and candy-making as a holiday treat looked forward to annually. His never-ending love of history guided him to possibly every antique store on the West Coast, on the hunt for furniture, hand-tinted photographs, and memorabilia of National Parks. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren Josh, Emma, Annalise, and Brielle.

Bob served time in the Army Reserves Medic Unit after college, was a Eucharistic Minister at Assumption Church, and was a member of the Exchange Club.

Bob’s family would like to extend a special appreciation to Maureen and his home away from home, Shalom Care in Spokane Valley, for appreciating his humor and creating memories for them when he was no longer able to do so on his own.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shirley Anderson (Phillip). He is survived by his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 1:00 – 6:00 PM, followed by a Rosary at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM, followed by Burial at Mountain View Cemetery. A reception will follow at Assumption Parish Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.