Clifton Roger Bennett

March 7, 1919-Nov. 4, 2017

On Nov. 4, 2017, Clifton Roger Bennett, age 98, died peacefully with family by his side. He was born in Meeteetse, Wyoming, on March 7, 1919, to Miles William Bennett and Dorothy Siebert Bennett. His siblings included William, Louise and Bernice.

Clifton spent his youth on and around horses and ranching, so it was only fitting that he would become a cowboy for the famous Pitchfork Ranch in Meeteetse. His high school sweetheart, M. Maxine Thayer, also lived on the Pitchfork Ranch with her parents. As time went on, their thoughts of romance grew and after graduation, and at the age of 19, Cliff and Maxine eloped to Red Lodge Montana in 1938. In 1940 Cliff and Maxine boarded a steamer ship bound for Alaska.

Arriving in Anchorage, Clifton worked at several carpentry jobs. When World War II began, the Alaska Railroad was taken over by the U.S. Army and Cliff worked for the railroad in both Tunnel and Anchorage for several years. As the Bennett family moved back and forth for work to and from Wyoming and Alaska, they left Alaska again for Wyoming where Mr. Bennett began working for a Reformatory School and Home for Boys in Worland, Wyoming. In 1961 the family moved to Anchorage one last time.

Clifton built a home on Boniface Parkway and began employment with the Sisters of Providence holding the position of Master Carpenter. He retired in 1984 from Providence Hospital and in 1986 Cliff and Maxine moved to The Dalles, Oregon to live in a +55 community. Cliff returned to Alaska two years ago to live with family in Homer.

He is survived by all of his children, Roger (and Alinda) Bennett, Jeanne Doty, Roberta (and Sterling) Eide, Nancy Laabs and C. Rodney (and Dona) Bennett. Clifton is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his lovely bride Maxine, his son-in-law Kenneth Doty, his mother and father and all three siblings.

“Cliff was a true cowboy, an honest gentleman and a loving father,” his family said. “His humility was his strength and he found good and valued everyone he would meet. He was a member of the Elks Club for over 75 years. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.”