William Andrew Bennett

Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free." -Christy Ann Martine

Obituary

William (Bill) Bennett, aged 68, formerly of Scituate, MA, passed away on February 14, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. His life will be remembered by his family, friends, and many colleagues working in the San Francisco Bay Estuary and beyond. Throughout his career, Bill worked tirelessly for the fishes in the Estuary and helped to advance the science of the Entrapment Zone and its impacts on fish population dynamics. Along with for his significant contributions and expertise, he was known for his hard work, dedication, and passion for good science. 

Bill had four main loves of his life: his family, fish, rock 'n' roll, and wood. He was an avid Red Sox fan, NPR listener, and outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, and bird watching. A man of many talents, he was an accomplished ecologist, carpenter, and music aficionado (he played the guitar and had an amazing singing voice). 

Bill was a loving father to his children Brian Bennett and Lucy Bennett; brother to Robert Bennett, Susan Bennett, and Linda Cook; uncle to Adam Cook, Holly Cook, Seamus Sweeney, and Rose Bennett; nephew of Elliot Richard of San Jose, CA; and cousin to many in California, as well as to Edward Richard of Hingham, MA, and William Fisher of Weymouth, MA. He was also a life-long friend of Jim Klix of Scituate, MA, and best friend of Vince Orsini of Bodega Bay, CA.

He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

We would like to welcome you to contribute to his memorial below, sharing photos and stories of Bill, as well as to come join us in celebrating his life at the Bodega Marine Lab (where he worked for many years) on June 2nd.

In addition, in honor of Bill (and in lieu of flowers) we invite you to contribute to causes that were near and dear to his heart. Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Bill embodied throughout his life. If you can donate in his memory, please consider:

• Donating toward a memorial bench for Bill at Spud Point Marina via Sonoma County Parks Association. Please send a check to his sister, Susan Bennett 113 El Dorado Drive, Woodland, CA 95695, OR you can Venmo @SueBee143 (confirmation phone # ending in 4995).
• Donating to the Bodega Marine Lab's research library where Bill enjoyed spending many hours researching: https://give.ucdavis.edu/BOML/LBRY15G

Timeline

Gallery

Memories and Condolences

June 9, 2024

Bill and Laura were 2 of my 1st and best friends when I moved to Bodega Bay as a graduate student. Bill and I got along so well and could always make each other laugh. We went fishing together once on the outer house and I caught a really nice Ling cod and he caught a submerged boot.

The bodega crowd went to Genry and Nancy's wedding and somewhere along the line, Bill picked me up, and threw me on the Petaluma River. I may have instigated it by smearing cake on his face. But ever the gentleman, he jumped in tge river too and payed to clean my fancy dress.

We went to a lot of music together, Stones, little Charlie, Nick Gravenitis, Aaron Nevil, lots more. We went to Baseball games and just we're great fiends for so many years.

I miss your smiling face Bill. Rest well

I miss his smiling face

Sherry Lynn Tamone

June 9, 2024

This is the fish birthday card Lucy made for Bill. She said it's a simple drawing, he on the other hand thought it was a masterpiece. He treasured this card and brought it with him everywhere in the front pocket of his black work case. He would make a point of bringing it out and showing everyone. They wanted to talk about tests, drugs, and procedures and all he wanted to do was to show them his card (and brag about Lucy too, of course). I had to drive 20 minutes each way to fetch it for him (he said he needed his work papers). I rush his black case to him with all his papers and he pulls out the card to show the doctor. He even insisted that we make a special trip to Michael's to find a frame for it. It gave him such joy!

Susan Bennett

May 31, 2024

I was Bill's collaborator on two major projects about a decade ago. What I treasure most about Bill was how he made every meeting and discussion more interesting and alive. In my view, his keen intellect wove together brilliantly with his life stories and love of the outdoors. He made so many days more exciting and memorable--maybe except for the multivariate stats. Perhaps he is trying to explain them to souls in the beyond while regaling them with fishing stories?

Susan Anderson

May 20, 2024

Bill and his PhD Student, Jim Hobbs, provided my first experience as a professional researcher at the Bodega Marine Laboratory, and this experience inspired me to pursue a MS, PhD, and attain my current position as director of the Otolith/Fish Lab at UC Davis. It dramatically transformed the direction of my life and career. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities Bill provided, and will fondly remember the sparkle in his eyes, the smirk in his smile, and his encouraging words: "That's a slam dunk!"; "We're in there!"; "That's a paper!"

Levi Lewis

May 13, 2024

I met Bill back in 1986 when Laura came to work in my lab at BML. While getting to know him in the 1980s-1990s, it was not until 2000 that we actually collaborated on the EPA PEEIR Center. This 5 year large center project had us working closely on fish in SF and Tomales Bays. It was great being part of a team with Bill and I treasure those years.

Although we both loved fishing, it was only in later years that we fished together, with some trips in Bodega Bay on Jaws and Miss Anita, but also several long range trips out of San Diego (see photos), where we were room mates. I recall on one trip coming back from Guadalupe Island where Bill and I spent hours discussing our kids and how great it was as dads to see them carve out their own careers and interests. I know Bill was so proud of Lucy and Brian and he enjoyed talking about each of them for much of our boat trip back to Ensenada.

I will miss Bill so much, but I have many great memories. Tight lines Bill!!

Gary Cherr

May 8, 2024

Bill is probably laughing pretty hard knowing that I finally learned how to catch a fish. Catching the Silver salmon was easy compared to all the bushes, trees, rocks and logs I snag fly fishing. I was sorry to hear of his passing and equally sorry not to get to visit with him one more time. I will always remember Bill talking about fish, watching birds and playing guitar.

Jeff Crofton

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