David Bennett May 7, 1950 – March 25, 2020, affectionately known as "Dude" lost a short but hard-fought battle with cancer on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Dave was born in Dr. Figg's office in Perry Michigan. His parents, Royal and Beverly Bennett, preceded him in death as did his brothers Danial and Dana. Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Jackie, daughters Davina (Craig) Ostovich, Deanna McClure and her fiancé Tom Crisp, and Abigail (Rick) Nunn. Also surviving are Jason McClure, and sisters-in-law, Cindy Bennett and Dolores Charo-Bennett as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.Of all survivors, his granddaughters formed the center of his universe. To them he was simply "Dude." One-by-one, he gave them alternate names, used mostly at Christmas: Jasmine McClure – Brunehilda Hasenpfeffer, Danielle McClure - Olga Weiner Schnitzel, Emma Nunn – Wilhimena Whirlywazzo, Anna Ostovich – Elmerwina Kadiddlehopper, Josie Bennett – Frogtina Farnfunkle, and Brooke Ostovich – Dudetta Doodledufus. They shared secrets and traditions individually as well as within in their tight knit group. He led them into their own fantasy Christmas world. A world in which the Christmas Chicken delivers presents in a sleigh pulled by Rudolph the Red-Beaked Turkey. Every year the Christmas Chicken left presents outside on a bed of pine boughs, surrounded by colored Easter eggs and a pumpkin. Dude carefully hand-picked each Christmas Chicken treasure himself right down to the wrapping paper and gift bag. Opening Christmas Chicken gifts became the first activity of the family Christmas.Although he began his life in the small town of Perry Michigan, his childhood involved a lot of moving as his dad advanced to jobs in different states. The family finally settled in Racine in 1965 and Dave's city of residence became permanent. He graduated from high school in 1968 with the largest graduating class in the history of William Horlick High School. Dave and Jackie were married shortly after her graduation a year later. When his lottery number in the military draft came up as the 35th group to be called, he enlisted in the Army, hoping his office skills would transfer to a classification that would keep him stateside and out of the Vietnam war. As it turns out, the Army needed office workers in Vietnam, too, so he was assigned to a unit overseas where he ultimately used both typewriter and an M16. Dave was wounded when the jeep he was in hit a pothole and overturned on his leg resulting in a compound fracture. He came home from Vietnam early, but the compound break took almost a year to heal. He reunited with his wife and one-year old daughter, Davina and finished his tour of duty at Fort Lawton in Seattle, Washington. Deanna was born in Seattle a month before he processed out of active duty in 1972.Once home, Dave returned to school and graduated from UW Parkside in 1977 with a degree in accounting. He seemed to always prefer working for family-owned businesses; Walker Forge, Powder Finishers, Haban Manufacturing and finally retiring from Milaegers in 2015. His "kung fu accountant pencil" followed him throughout his career.Dave and Jackie purchased her family home in 1977 and welcomed Abigail in 1978. The 100 year old farmhouse badly needed remodeling, but that adventure waited until after retirement. The work was contracted with craftsmen who understood how to preserve the original designs of the structure. Dave found a deep sense of pride in collaborating in the process and loved the final product, showing it off to every visitor, even if the person was there to fix the phone.Aside from time spent with the granddaughters and gracing them with the wisdom they all called "Dude-isms," Dave liked to fish, golf, attend college football games, and visit Wisconsin supper clubs. He left us with tender memories and always advised us, "don't sweat the small stuff."In lieu of flowers, please donate to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.