Remembering the Life of Robert E. Bennett, Westerner, Arizona Outdoorsman, and Papa
Robert E. Bennett of Page, Arizona, passed away on January 7, 2025, with his wife of 55 years, Kristi (Paulsen) Bennett, at his side, surrounded by family and friends, love, the sharing of memories, and the telling of stories.
Robert was born on September 13, 1948, in Prescott, Arizona, to Eugene T. and Josephine Edgel Bennett of Mayer, Arizona, a Yavapai County pioneer family. Ranching life was in his blood, and Robert began working as a ranch hand at the H Lazy A at the age of 15. It was there that he and Kristi first met, ranching, riding, and punching cattle together. Although he waited a few years to ask her to be his, Kristi captured his heart early, and they were together for 60 years and married for close to 55. They exchanged wedding vows on November 22, 1970 at The Chapel at Orme Ranch, in a western celebration that honored their roots and commitment to one another.
Robert graduated from Mayer High School in 1966 and went on to attend Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona, earning an Associate’s Degree in Animal Husbandry and Animal Nutrition. He was drafted into the Army in June of 1970 and served the United States Army in the Army National Guard, honorably discharged in May of 1976.
As he and Kristi began to build their family, they moved to Page, Arizona in 1982, where they bought 3 acres and built the home of their dreams to commence their own ranching life. Robert began a career at Salt River Project at the Navajo Generating Station as a heavy equipment and train operator, retiring in 2011 after 29 years of service. Robert (together with Kristi) became part of the fabric of Page, establishing the Page 4H Club 33 years ago, coaching Little League, and actively leading the Page 4H Club through today.
Robert had a great love of animals, hunting, fishing, golfing, and the outdoors, and he shared it with his entire family. His prize hunting accomplishment was capturing an Arizona Record Hunter Award for his Non-Typical Arizona Mule Deer, “Big Herb.” Other most memorable hunts include the three Africa hunting safaris with Kristi, bringing home over 25 trophies, from jackals to a Cape Buffalo. Together with his son, Kip, he shot a bighorn sheep in Marble Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, Arizona. In the wake of returning home from his stem cell transplant in 2023, after 23 years of waiting to get drawn, Robert completed his life hunting wish list, felling a pronghorn with a crossbow.
Known as Papa to his four grandchildren, Robert loved each fiercely and was so proud of their accomplishments, especially in their shared passions of tending and raising animals, golfing, horsemanship, shooting sports (archery, pistols, and rifles), hunting, and fishing. He stayed busy in retirement, tending animals, doing ranch chores, operating a crane, selling hay, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed competing in bass fishing tournaments with Kip, almost always winning a big fish trophy. For a man that could not swim, he never showed fear as they braved some crazy Lake Powell storms in a small bass boat. He always remembered birthdays and important dates, and he called his daughter, Tiffini, faithfully every day. Known not to mince words, his love came across loud and clear, as could his occasional difference of opinion.
Robert was not one to back down from a fight, and he moved to City of Hope in Duerte, California on January 1, 2023, to prepare for and receive a stem cell transplant on March 31, to treat leukemia. He beat the odds and won that battle. Ringing the treatment bell to celebrate, he was the Cowboy in the Black Hat and a hospital gown. He returned home on July 1, 2023, and in the days since, and in his final hours as he battled pneumonia, he would tell you that he made each moment count. He was not cheated out of anything. He lived the life of a family man and outdoorsman fully and with his whole heart. He left his mark.
Robert is survived by his wife, Kristi (Paulsen) Bennett; his daughter and son and their spouses and four grandchildren: Tiffini and David Taylor (children Mallori and Triniti Taylor), and Kip and Melissa Bennett (children Kendyl and Trace Bennett); his sister, Sherrol (Pitts) Sampson and her husband, Lloyd Sampson; and he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Eugene T. and Josephine Edgel Bennett, and his brother, Gene Bennett.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Page, Arizona for family and friends. Live Streaming of the Services will be available. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider honoring Robert’s life with a donation to the Page 4H Club, which may be made by check mailed to Page 4H Club, P.O. Box 924, Page, Arizona 86040, or by Venmo to @Page4H.
