Paul Vernon Bennett

Paul Vernon Bennett, age 81, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024, at St. Peter’s Hospital, Olympia, Washington. He was born November 13, 1942, to Vernon and Ramona Bennett in Olympia, Washington.

Paul leaves behind his wife, Gloria Bennett, Olympia, Washington; daughters Julie (Steve) Dover, Rochester, Washington, and Karen (Tony) Leingang, Olympia, Washington, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The grandchildren/great grandchildren are Tyler (Christina) Winkley, Seattle, Washington and their daughters Lana, Emma and Mia; Shane (Heather) Dover, Tumwater, Washington and their daughter Storie; Kyle (Maari) Winkley, Olympia, Washington and their sons Miles and Carter; Dylan (Madeline Zimmerman) Winkley, Tacoma, Washington; Nicholas (Sara) Leingang, Spokane, Washington; Kira Leingang, Olympia, Washington; Chase (Erin) Dover, Olympia, Washington and Rhiannon Dover, Rochester, Washington.

Paul attended St. Martin’s College earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1966. After graduation, Paul went to work as an engineer for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). He worked for WSDOT until his retirement in April 1997.

Following his retirement from WSDOT, Paul worked as a Disaster Reservist for the Washington State Emergency Management Department (EMD). He enjoyed his time with EMD and continued working there until finally retiring in February 2020.

In 1989, Paul married Gloria Canfield in Olympia, Washington. In 1995, they moved to their longtime home in the south Delphi area. Here they worked together to improve the house and property, raise vegetable gardens, and preserve their garden yield.

Paul’s grumpy disposition was well known to family, friends, and co-workers. However, Paul was affectionately known as Grandpa Grinch by his grandchildren. At Christmas, Paul donned his Grinch attire to pass gifts out to the grandkids.

For years, Paul and Gloria hosted a sauerkraut making party. Paul’s relatives and friends helped complete the labor-intensive process working through as much as a bin of cabbage. Paul directed the work crew to ensure a successful sauerkraut batch each year.

Paul battled health issues over the last fifteen years. The fight started with cancer that nearly took his life in 2009. Despite the health issues, Paul liked to use his tractor to work around the property, cook and enjoy food and wine, and hang out with his cronies at the local watering hole.

If desired, donate in Paul’s memory to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington at fredhutch.org.

No services are planned.