- On January 29, 2009, Jeff Bennett died of a heart attack at the age of 51. He was a caring and generous person who was intensely loved by his family and friends. Jeff was also a whole lot of fun. I was incredibly fortunate to have had him as a close friend for more than 40 years. I love you Jeff.
Your best friend, Rusty
St. Jude Tribute Site - You can post a message about Jeff and provide a donation on his behalf.
At his funeral service, I listened to Jeff's manager at CA tell me what I already knew: Jeff was brilliant. In 2004, Jeff won the CA to the Core Award, which is an amazing honor. One of his co-workers told me that when they wanted to find the critical person to solve a particular computing problem, they would ask, "Who is the Jeff Bennett of this?" That says it all.
The 2004 CA to the Core Award was just one of a long sequence of accomplishments including being President of Stenwood Elementary School.
Jeff and I went to elementary school, middle school, high school, and college together. There was no breaking us up!
| Stenwood Elementary School: 6th Grade |  |
 | Henry Thoreau Middle School: 8th Grade |  |
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George C. Marshall High School: Senior |  |
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University of Virginia: Senior |  |
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Our freshman year at UVA, Jeff and I were members of the Watson Dorm volleyball team which won the Independent Intramural League. With one smiling exception, we had perfected that menacing stare intended to intimidate.
While Jeff's fraternity - Pi Lambda Phi - may not have been the inspiration for Delta House from Animal House, they certainly carried on the tradition. My thanks to all of the Pi Lam brothers for welcoming me to their parties. There was a group of them at Jeff's funeral and they told some great stories after the service.
I was Jeff's best man when he married Tami, and Jeff was my best man when I married Diana.
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Jeff was born exactly one week before me and we celebrated turning 50 by going whitewater rafting.
