Dr. James E. Bennett
May 19, 1925 ~ June 21, 2018
James E. (Doc) Bennett MD passed away Thursday, June 21, 2018. He was 93 years old and had recently celebrated his birthday with his entire family.
Born in Burlington, WI in 1925 to Florence and Dr. John F. Bennett, he graduated Saint Mary’s High School in 1943. Through the Navy V12 program, he attended Notre Dame and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for undergraduate studies. He graduated from Northwestern University Medical School and later served in the U.S. Navy as medical officer aboard the USS Talladega. Dr. Bennett trained in general surgery at the University of Michigan in 1956, where he met his future wife, Ellen “Scotty” Macpherson. The Bennetts moved to Galveston, Texas, where Dr. Bennett completed his residency in plastic surgery at the University of Texas at Galveston.
Dr. Bennett joined the faculty of Ohio State University in 1961 at age 36 as the first full-time director of the division. In 1964 he was appointed Professor of Surgery and Director of Plastic Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, IN. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1991. Dr. Bennett and Scotty raised their four children in the idyllic neighborhood of Brendonwood in Indianapolis. They developed lifelong friendships with the many wonderful families in Brendonwood.
Passionate about teaching as well as surgery, Dr. Bennett directed more than sixty surgeons through the Plastic Surgery Residency at IUMC. While most entered private practice, four became university professors directing their own accredited training programs in the specialty. An additional 13 former trainees have held faculty appointments at various universities.
A gifted leader in the reconstructive plastic surgery profession, Dr. Bennett served terms as Chairman of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, President of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, and Vice President of The American College of Surgeons.
In 1988 Dr. Bennett was awarded the prestigious “Sagamore of the Wabash” by then Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr. This award is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. In 1989 he was awarded the “Kentucky Colonel,” a similar award for the State of Kentucky.
Dr. Bennett retired in 1991 and received the Glenn W. Irwin Award for distinguished faculty service. Shortly afterward his former residents founded the James E. Bennett Surgical Society. The James E. Bennett Professorship in Plastic Surgery was also established and funded.
After retirement Dr. Bennett realized a lifelong dream, establishing Benaire Farm in Morgan County, Indiana and spending the next 30 years breeding and racing standardbred horses. “Doc” started in horseracing as an owner in 1981, and his first star was Raven’s Arrow, an Indiana Sires Stakes winner in 1981. He went on to breed more than 10 sub two-minute trotters and won breeding awards in 2000 and 2001. His crowning racing achievement was having his finest brood mare, Crunchess, inducted into the Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame in 2014. He was a regular fixture at racing events at the Indiana State Fair, Indiana Downs, and Hoosier Park.
He is survived by his sister Betty Jake and his children, Dave Bennett, Tom Bennett (Vickie), Jon Bennett (Sandy), Missy Campbell (Bob), as well as the great joys of his life, his 6 grandchildren: Elizabeth Campbell, Katherine Bennett, Emily Campbell, Stephanie Bennett, Bryan Bennett, and Liam Bennett. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Ellen “Scotty” Macpherson Bennett.
In remembrance of Dr. Bennett, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Richard M. Fairbanks Eskenazi Health Burn Unit in Indianapolis.
Friends and family will gather Sunday, June 24, 2018, 4 until 7 p.m., in the chapel at Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 39 E. High St., Mooresville. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. Burial will take place privately on Monday morning in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hall. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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So many wonderful memories with you Dad. All of your accomplishments in medicine and horse racing still don’t equal your value to us as our Father, the best memory of all. Our heart aches that we won’t see you and touch you again here on earth but we are grateful for your many years in our lives and feel so honored to have you as our Dad; our Papa; our Gramps. Your loving daughter Missy
I am so very sorry to learn of Jim’s death. You know how important he was to me. He saved my life in 1987 by finding me the perfect doctor. He and Scotty were wonderful friends in Brendonwood.. We enjoyed some horse races in Shelbyville and it was a lifetime bucket list accomplishment to be asked to join the winning circle at one. God bless you all. I am with Debbie and family this weekend so will miss the service.
As Director of Plastic Surgery, the Riley Burn Center was under his care. We always felt Riley Burn Center was his baby. He nurtured and taught all with great knowledge and care. The Riley Burn Center wishes to express our heartfelt sympathy to the family at this time.
I feel very fortunate that Dr Bennett was in my life. 45 years ago I was burned & thankfully Dr Bennett & staff gave me a 2nd chance at life. After all my surgeries I wondered what ever happened to Dr Bennett & I just happened to be having a procedure in 2010 and the Dr doing asked if I mind telling him where I had my burn surgeries done at. As I told him he smiled and said I thought so; I live next to Dr Bennett.
Obviously I left my number with his team and a couple months later I did get to meet back up with him at Riley & have lunch as an adult; more importantly I was able to say Thank you for the 2nd chance in life. Many memories as in 1973 I was burned over 60% and had a big uphill battle. I was in and out of the Burn Unit from 1973 to 1988 but I could always remember Him and a team coming in almost daily & his delivery with patients & family members was second to none. My mother told me many times we was fortunate to have such a great staff. I am sure he was a great Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Cousin & Brother what a great life he lived as not many people can touch as many people’s lives as Dr Bennett has.
I will never forget all of my memories with you Gramps. I will always be able to hear your laugh when Emily and I told you that we got the golf cart stuck and came in covered head to toe in mud and were so scared you were going to scold us but to our delight you laughed so hard with us. My summers with you and Scotty on the farm is something I still talk about and will continue to relive those memories. I am so, SO, lucky to have had an incredibly loving relationship with you. I am grateful for your guidance, wisdom, and incredibly big heart. I will continue to look back at my life and cherish my memories and I will continue to be proud to be your granddaughter. I will miss you for the rest of my years, but thank you for making the last 27 simply the best. I love you so much, give Scotty a kiss for me.
A few years ago, I got the opportunity to accompany my grandpa to New Orleans along with my mom to the annual American Association of Plastic Surgeons meeting. He was invited as a guest of honor by outgoing president (his former resident) and the keynote speaker. We sat front row through presentations on the latest advancements and achievements in the field, and got a look at new research, methods, and future projects. I’ll never forget asking my grandpa what he thought after the first presentation to which he replied “it’s just remarkable, the work they’re doing is phenomenal”. Here he was a guest of honor, yet he was so humble, gracious, and impressed. We went to “past presidents dinners” and sat amongst some of the greatest minds in plastics—many of whom talked of my grandpa as a mentor, some even remembering my grandpa sitting for their surgery boards. It was so special to see him recognized by his former colleagues—because you’d never have heard of his accomplishments and accolades from him! So proud to be his granddaughter and for the service he gave so many!
Yes, he stood at the top of the hill—us at the bottom with the golf cart—and just laughed and laughed! He got such a kick out of that.
Gramps, You will never be far from my heart. Your unwavering support and constant encouragement has helped me through the toughest aspects of my career (Dr. Bennett 2.0) thusfar. I can still hear your voice as we discussed horse pedigrees over a “Star Dinner” and of course, ice cream for dessert. You left an impact wherever you went in life – from renowned surgeon to horseman to amazing father/grandfather/family man; I can only hope that I can make a difference in this world similar to the one you made in mine. Forever my hero, always on my mind, I will love you and remember you every single day. Be sure to say hello to our old friend(s) Chumley (#’s 1, 2, 3, and 4) and of course give my love to the beautiful Scotty.
Papa, what a privilege it has been to call you my grandfather, to have learned from you, and to have had a front-row seat from which to witness your legacy. You shared your wisdom, compassion, leadership, and wit with those in need. You raised a wonderful family and shared your many passions and interests with others. How special it has been to have had so many years here on Earth with you. I’ll never forget all our special visits to the farm, and I’ll hold in my heart the memories of our final visits together. Love, your granddaughter Liz
Doc you have been such a blessing in my life. My life will be forever better because of you. You’ve taught me so much and been an ear to always listen and offer advice. I’ll miss cooking and cleaning for you and making your gardens beautiful ߌڰߌ¹. I always loved hearing your stories from the past. You’ve had such a colorful life and I’m so glad I got to be in it. You’ll always be in my heart. I will miss you so much! Tell Scotty and Chumley I miss them. Love you forever Doc. Love Candy. ❤️
A life lived…..Dr. Bennett was extra special to me. I”ll see him again….
I knew doc for over 30 years, in the Standardbred business. 25 years ago he and I merged ITPHA he was president of at the time and the Indiana owners and breeders association, to create the now ISA Indiana standardbred association. A top notch person to work with, forward thinker with a love for the business. His legacy will live on in the racing world as well as the medical field but up most his family. Our sincere condolences and prayers are with them at this time. Jack and Jeri Kieninger
Doc you were such a pleasure to be with. I enjoyed my shifts with you., i now know how to build a proper fire in a fireplace. Vicki Richardson (Home Instead).
I was so saddened to learn of Dr. Bennett’s passing. We crossed paths due to my being in a serious car accident and found myself in need of his services. I guess you could say that I was a “prize patient” of Dr. Bennett’s back in the 1970’s. He has been in my thoughts occasion; I’m aware that he got into the horse business after leaving IU. Please accept my sincerest of condolences at Dr. Bennett’s passing.