The estate of the late Bennett made history last April with the largest single donation to the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation, and the third largest among national fraternities. That amount was $2 million - 60 percent of Bennett’s estate - setup in a charitable remainder trust to the Foundation.

"This donation sets a new standard for Fraternity giving," notes Ken Kaiser, the Foundation’s director of development. "Not only was the amount significant, but the way Bob had the vision to plan this gifts’ growth and eventual usage was the mark of a truly devote brother - one committed to the education of our undergraduates."

Bennett’s significance in the Fraternity is counted in many other ways, according to Phil Tappy, past national president and 1985 Mr. Pi Kappa Phi.

"When you work on a board, sometimes people can get a little pushy and big-headed," comments Tappy. "Not Bob. He was always very quiet - but when he did say something, everyone was sure to listen."

Bennett served on the National Council from 1968-75 as chancellor, and was awarded the Mr. Pi Kappa Phi honor in 1978. In the resolution, Bennett was described as, "a perfect gentleman and an intellectual strength for each of those days (of membership). Brother Bennett has set the ultimate example of a man devoted to family and character."

That character shined through in his activities, both with the Fraternity and away. In his home town of Towanada, Penn., Bennett served as president of the (now) Citizen & National Bank; was a key figure in the establishment of the first Baptist church in town; and sat on the board of Robert Packer Hospital in neighboring Sayre, Penn. As the "town’s attorney," Bennett also provided advice to many friends and neighbors.

He also hosted the best New Year’s Eve parties in the area, according to long-time friend Bill Fitzgerald (Washington & Lee - Rho).

"They were huge," says Fitzgerald of the get-togethers. "People would come from miles around just to attend."

Fitzgerald’s family was close to both Robert and his wife, Annabelle. Although both were known for the giving of their time and energy, not many knew of another resource the couple often donated - money.

"Both Bob and Annabelle were very well-liked," says Eleanor Fitzgerald-Fox, Bill’s distant aunt and friend to Annabelle. "This wasn’t because of the money they gave, either; nine times out of 10, any money they would donate wasn’t even known.

"They were extremely generous in their own quiet way."

The recent $2 million donation is not the first gift by Bennett. In 1968, after attending the 32nd Supreme Chapter in Virginia Beach, Va. (his first national event as an alumnus), Bennett began to take a more active role in Fraternity affairs. He not only would donate his ‘relief checks’ - dividend payments on his investments - to the Fraternity, Bennett also gave over $50,000 in stock to help create an academic scholarship program for his undergraduate chapter at Mercer, and helped in erasing the chapter’s housing debt.

According to Executive Director Emeritus Durward Owen (Roanoke - Xi), Bennett’s vision was also a key factor in ensuring consistent leadership for the National Fraternity.

"Bob was the first person to realize the benefits of a long-term executive director for the Fraternity," notes Owen, who, along with his wife Connie, was a personal friend of Bennett. "As a result, he helped design the first retirement vehicle for the position of executive director (now CEO)."

Bennett’s legacy will be remembered in many different ways to many different people: as a friend, a neighbor, a visionary, a Pi Kappa Phi, a board member, a community man, etc. What remained consistent in Bennett, however, and was a key to his full and successful life according to friends, was his positive energy and honest care for others.

"He was truly a perfect gentleman," says Connie Owen, Durward Owen’s wife and friend to Bennett. "He was a very special person, and always made you feel special when you were around him."

Bennett joined the Chapter Eternal on May 14, 1985, at the age of 81. His life’s giving, however, continues today.