Franklin O. Bennett, Jr. (1942-2026)

Franklin Odbert Bennett, Jr., 84, of Highlands Ranch, CO, passed away on September 24, 2026, at Brookdale Memory Care Center in Highlands Ranch. Frank was born on July 28, 1942, in Madison, Indiana, to Franklin Odbert Bennett, Sr., and Dorothy Jane Rider Bennett. He grew up in Danville, Il, graduating from Danville High School in 1960. Frank then attended Purdue University in Lafayette, IN, earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1964 and a Master of Science in Engineering in 1966. Later, he earned a J.D. (“Juris Doctor” or Law Degree) from the University of San Diego in 1981 and passed the California Bar that same year. Frank married Janice Olivia Brown in 1964 and together they raised one child. Frank and Janice later divorced in 1981. He would then marry his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Jean O’Malley Ady, in 1987, in Danville, IL.

Frank moved to San Diego, CA, in 1966, to work for General Dynamics, Convair Division, until 1974. He then worked for General Atomic from 1974 to 1982 before returning to General Dynamics, Space Systems Division, from 1982 to 1994. Frank moved to Denver with Martin Marrietta, now Lockheed Martin, where he worked as a space engineer until retirement.

Frank enjoyed a love for travel beginning in his youth. He spent the summer of 1959 in Munster, West Germany, as an A.F.S. (American Field Service) exchange student, and then returned to explore West Germany and other parts of Europe in 1962, 1965 and 1974. Together with his wife, Cheryl, Frank would tour Hawaii and embark on eight different cruises to such exotic locations as Alaska, the Caribbean, Iceland, the Canadian Maritimes and Quebec, and even a Trans-Atlantic cruise.

Frank and Cheryl also shared a love for music and for raising puppies. Frank sang in glee clubs in high school and at Purdue University, and both Frank and Cheryl were excellent bell choir ringers, performing with hand bell groups in San Diego and at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch. Frank and Cheryl raised three Golden Retrievers of their own and were also highly active volunteers with Guide Dogs for the Blind, fostering numerous puppies who “graduated,” going on to assist the visually impaired.

Frank is survived by his wife, Cheryl Jean Bennett, of Highlands Ranch, CO; his brother, David Rider (Karen) Bennett, of Henderson, NV; one son, Jeffrey Scott Bennett, of Denver, CO, and three step-children, William (Tracy) Ady, of Rockford, IL, Erin Larson, of Chicago, IL, and Michael Patrick (Kellie) Ady, of Denver, CO, as well as by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 am, Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at St Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S University Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO. Burial will be held in Danville, IL.  Donations may be made in Frank’s honor to Guide Dogs for the Blind: Guide Dogs