NORWICH – Henry R. Bennett, 100 years young, of Norwich, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
The son of Charles King and Lily (Ruckteshler) Bennett, Henry was born in Norwich in January of 1908. He was an active and involved youngster throughout his years in the Norwich schools, becoming a member of the National Honor Society and treasurer of his senior class. He was a drummer in the Norwich High orchestra and played with local dance bands. Following high school graduation. Henry attended Syracuse University, then transferred to the Albany College of Pharmacy, where he again played drums for their dance band. At the time of his graduation in 1931, he was 1st Vice President of his class and had his degree of graduate pharmacist. He returned the following year and obtained the degree of pharmaceutical chemistry. Henry worked in his early years with his father as a mason apprentice. In the summers of his college years, he was employed by Church and Scott Pharmacy in Cooperstown, and worked after graduation for the Norwich Pharmacal Company, operating the new Milk of Magnesia plant they were just putting into operation. Henry worked briefly in a retail pharmacy in the Triple Cities area until 1935 when he returned to Norwich and began his lengthy career with the Norwich Pharmacal Company, beginning in the laboratory on product development. He later became liaison between the lab and manufacturing areas and was in charge of narcotics and poisons. In 1941, Henry was assigned to oversee the manufacture of Unguentine after taking an oath to keep the formula a secret, and in 1957 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory with immediate supervision of product development and the handling of clinical supplies. He became Director of the Pharmaceutical Research Division in 1958 and was instrumental in designing a new wing for that division at Eaton Laboratories at Woods Corners, where the group moved in 1961. Henry retired in 1972 after 37 years with the company.
Henry enjoyed his life’s work, traveling, and fishing, and spending time at a summer place on Raquette Lake, where he belonged to the Fish and Game Club. He was a 75-plus year member of the Norwich Masonic Bodies, and a member of the Scottish Rite and Kalurah Shrine of Binghamton and the Chenango Valley Shrine Club, a life member of Norwich Elks Lodge #1222, and belonged to the American Pharmaceutical Association and Kappa Psi fraternity. A past president and board of governors emeritus of Nor Pharm - P&G Association, Henry was a member of longstanding of the United Church of Christ, First Congregational of Norwich.
Henry is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carol B. Redenbaugh and Dr. James E. Redenbaugh of Allentown, Pa.; and his grandchildren: Dr. Jonathan B. Redenbaugh and his wife Dr. Kristin M. Redenbaugh of South Glastonbury, Conn., and Marcie Redenbaugh Basile, PA-C and her husband. Dr. Jack F. Basile of Allentown, Pa. He was predeceased by his wife, Ida Dolgos Bennett.
Funeral services for Henry will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the United Church of Christ First Congregational. The Rev. Joseph Connolly, pastor, will officiate.
Interment will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Friends are invited to call at the Otis Thompson Chapel at the UCC Church on Monday from 1 to 2 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the UCC Church, 11 West Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.