Thomas S. Bennett

Memorials may be made to Covington Community Foundation, SSM Hospice of St. Charles, or Covington United Methodist Church. Thomas Charles Sidwell Bennett was born in Chicago, Illinois September 9, 1936 to Thomas John and Helen Simon Bennett. He was freed from his earthly bonds at 7:21 AM on 7 December 2007 at his St. Peters, Missouri home after a lengthy illness. Tom grew up on a farm near Veedersburg, Indiana and attended Rabb Grade School. In 1954, he graduated Covington Community High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 1958, and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Management from University of Southern California in 1969. While at Purdue, he was a membeer of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, an ROTC cadet in Air Force Detachment 220 and served as Cadet Commander of the Ivan C. Kincheloe Squadron of Arnold Air Society. He also earned his private pilot's license. Upon graduation from Purdue in 1958, Tom was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He received his silver wings at Laredo AFB, Texas in 1960. He stated as an F-86 pilot, but spent the majority of his career assigned to air refueling aircraft. He served three tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. In 1972, Tom returned from Thailand to become Commandant of Cadets for the ROTC program at Purdue University, where he served for three years. While most of his 26-year career was spent flying, Tom served three years as Commander of a Computer Services Squadron, and also worked on the B-2 stealth bomber program. He finished his career as Commander of the National Emergency Airborne Command Post, supporting the President of the United States and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Tom attained the rank of Colonel before his retirement in 1985. During his career, Tom earned the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and five Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Longevity Service, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retiring from the Air Force, Tom raised beef cattle and hay for 20 years on a farm near Veedersburg, Indiana. He was a member of Covington United Methodist church, served as president of Veedersburg Lions Club, received the 1989 Fountain County Soil and Water Conservation District Outstanding Conservation Achievement Award, delivered the Covington High School Class of 1992 commencement address, and spoke on national defence topics to numerous clubs and many Memorial Day and Veterans Day gathering. In 2005, Tom retired from farming after a heart attack and subsequent stroke. Tom moved to St. Peters, Missouri in 2006. Tom is survived by his wife Virginia Bennett; three sons: Brian (Jan) of St. Peters, MO; Daniel (Tracey) of Keller, TX; and Tom (Stacy) of Carterville, IL; and two daughters: Karen Bennett of St. Charles, MO; and Carolyn Alvey (David) of Richardson, TX. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Brandon (Diana) Bennett; Mitchell Bennett; Kevin Bennett; Allison Bennett; Jessica Bennett; Elizabeth Bennett; Caelin Bennett; Aaron Bennett; Claire Bennett; Nicholas Alvey; Samuel Alvey; Nathan Alvey; and one great-grandson Braden Bennett; a brother Jerry Bennett (Joanne) of Covington, IN; four nephews; several cousins and innumerable friends.