AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 155:316–317 (2014)
Obituary†: Kenneth Alan Bennett (October 3, 1935 – February 6, 2014) Karen B. Strier,1* James M. Cheverud,2 and Donald K. Grayson3 1
Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 Department of Biology, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60640 3 Department of Anthropology and Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 2
Professor Emeritus Kenneth Alan Bennett passed away in Madison, WI on February 6, 2014. He was a biological anthropologist and an authority in forensic anthropology. His teaching inspired generations of students, and his work with the state crime lab over a quarter of a century exemplified the contributions to society that physical anthropologists can make. Born in Butler, Oklahoma in 1935, Ken developed an interest in archaeology during his early years of roaming the hills in west Texas. He received his A.S. degree from Odessa College in 1956 before being drafted for two years of service in the U.S. Army. He then earned his B.A from the University of Texas-Austin in 1961, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of ArizonaTucson in 1966 and 1967, respectively. He held an NIH Fellowship from 1964–1967. He was Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Oregon from 1967– 1970 prior to joining the Department of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, were he was Associate Professor from 1970–1975 and Full Professor from 1975 until his retirement in 1997. While at the University of Oregon, Ken was widely considered to be an inspiring teacher. His lab and seminar courses in human osteology guaranteed that students who put in the immense amount of work that his teaching style required would never forget what they learned from him and because of him. As one of his former students (DKG) recalls, Ken’s teaching style seemed simple: Here is what is important, here is why it is important, now go learn it. But what seems simple when you are a student is far more difficult when you are in front of your own students; Ken’s effectiveness was in a class of its own. During his 28 years at UW-Madison, Ken’s teaching and scholarship were closely intertwined. As the primary instructor for one of the anthropology department’s large lecture courses there, Ken introduced thousands of undergraduates to the basics of human biology and the broader field of biological anthropology. He also provided hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on laboratory experience in his popular courses on Forensic Anthropology and The Human Skeleton, famously known as the Bones Lab. Ken produced nine Ph.Ds, all of whom have continued to work in the field. He was an excellent mentor for his graduate students. His experience and knowledge across the fields of biological anthropology and human and evolutionary biology was unmatched. He could converse and advise on any subject in the field from quantitative genetics through forensic identification. One of his forÓ 2014 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.
mer Ph.D. students (JMC) recalled Ken’s mantra: Good biological anthropology had to be good biology, hence the need for staying up-to-date in both fields. Ken’s advising style was as distinct as his teaching style. He was always ready to help when needed but let his students find their own way and make their own mistakes. He was a fantastic editor who could really turn a page red with corrections, queries and notes. Lapses in logic and clarity could never get past him. Ken’s reputation as a brilliant editor and reviewer extended beyond the appreciation of students and colleagues to include many of the major journals in the field. He was the Editor of the flagship journal, Yearbook of Physical Anthropology from 1976–1981, a Contributing Editor of Social Biology from 1981–1987, and on the Editorial Board of the Annual Reviews in Anthropology from 1987–1991. Ken’s eclectic interests also led to his participation in diverse professional societies including the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, where he held a position on the Executive Committee from 1976–1981, the Human Biology Council, the American Society of Naturalists, and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Ken authored more than 60 original articles, book reviews, and commentaries, as well as numerous technical autopsy reports and two major volumes. Fundamentals of Biological Anthropology, published in 1979, was a leading textbook in the discipline for many years. It was widely considered to be one of the most sophisticated introductory volumes on the evolution and biology of Homo sapiens, in part because Ken’s approach to biological anthropology was to treat it as a rigorous natural science while also making it accessible and interesting to beginning students. At the other extreme, his reference manual, A Field Guide for Human Skeletal Identification, first published in 1987 with a second edition in 1993, was explicitly intended as a practical resource for professional forensic anthropologists with extensive diagnostic expertise.
*Correspondence to: [email protected] † Reproduced and modified from Memorial Resolution of the Faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, http://www.secfac.wisc. edu/senate/2014/0505/2489mr.pdf
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22583 Published online 24 July 2014 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
OBITUARY: KENNETH ALAN BENNETT As a forensic anthropology consultant to law enforcement agencies, Ken was instrumental in helping to solve some major criminal cases in Wisconsin. In making his scientific expertise available, Ken demonstrated the contributions to society that exceptional faculty at a worldclass university can play. The same unwavering integrity that made Ken such an invaluable resource to forensic investigations also characterized his interactions with students and colleagues. He was known for maintaining high standards and for being fair, and for his willingness to speak up on behalf of both people and causes when they needed him. He was a trusted confidant to many students and colleagues alike. Ken had a far-ranging intellectual curiosity that led him to read deeply across a wide range of subjects, especially in the sciences, economics, and politics. His quest
317
for knowledge of all kinds persisted throughout his retirement. He loved riding his motorcycle, and took justifiable pride in the chili peppers and tomatoes he grew in his backyard garden. Gardening was a hobby that Ken shared with his lifelong partner and beloved wife, Helen, who he married in 1959. Ken is survived by Helen, their two daughters, Letitia and Cheri, and their two grandchildren, Krista and Jack. He is also survived by his sister, Judy, as well as by other relatives and friends. Ken was a private man who genuinely cared about his students, along with his family and friends. He also cared about the University of Wisconsin, the future of Biological Anthropology, and the importance of using one’s knowledge to make a difference in the world. We were fortunate to have had him as a colleague.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Obituary†: Kenneth Alan Bennett (October 3, 1935 – February 6, 2014) Karen B. Strier,1* James M. Cheverud,2 and Donald K. Grayson3 1
Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 Department of Biology, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60640 3 Department of Anthropology and Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 2
Professor Emeritus Kenneth Alan Bennett passed away in Madison, WI on February 6, 2014. He was a biological anthropologist and an authority in forensic anthropology. His teaching inspired generations of students, and his work with the state crime lab over a quarter of a century exemplified the contributions to society that physical anthropologists can make. Born in Butler, Oklahoma in 1935, Ken developed an interest in archaeology during his early years of roaming the hills in west Texas. He received his A.S. degree from Odessa College in 1956 before being drafted for two years of service in the U.S. Army. He then earned his B.A from the University of Texas-Austin in 1961, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of ArizonaTucson in 1966 and 1967, respectively. He held an NIH Fellowship from 1964–1967. He was Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Oregon from 1967– 1970 prior to joining the Department of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, were he was Associate Professor from 1970–1975 and Full Professor from 1975 until his retirement in 1997. While at the University of Oregon, Ken was widely considered to be an inspiring teacher. His lab and seminar courses in human osteology guaranteed that students who put in the immense amount of work that his teaching style required would never forget what they learned from him and because of him. As one of his former students (DKG) recalls, Ken’s teaching style seemed simple: Here is what is important, here is why it is important, now go learn it. But what seems simple when you are a student is far more difficult when you are in front of your own students; Ken’s effectiveness was in a class of its own. During his 28 years at UW-Madison, Ken’s teaching and scholarship were closely intertwined. As the primary instructor for one of the anthropology department’s large lecture courses there, Ken introduced thousands of undergraduates to the basics of human biology and the broader field of biological anthropology. He also provided hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on laboratory experience in his popular courses on Forensic Anthropology and The Human Skeleton, famously known as the Bones Lab. Ken produced nine Ph.Ds, all of whom have continued to work in the field. He was an excellent mentor for his graduate students. His experience and knowledge across the fields of biological anthropology and human and evolutionary biology was unmatched. He could converse and advise on any subject in the field from quantitative genetics through forensic identification. One of his forÓ 2014 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.
mer Ph.D. students (JMC) recalled Ken’s mantra: Good biological anthropology had to be good biology, hence the need for staying up-to-date in both fields. Ken’s advising style was as distinct as his teaching style. He was always ready to help when needed but let his students find their own way and make their own mistakes. He was a fantastic editor who could really turn a page red with corrections, queries and notes. Lapses in logic and clarity could never get past him. Ken’s reputation as a brilliant editor and reviewer extended beyond the appreciation of students and colleagues to include many of the major journals in the field. He was the Editor of the flagship journal, Yearbook of Physical Anthropology from 1976–1981, a Contributing Editor of Social Biology from 1981–1987, and on the Editorial Board of the Annual Reviews in Anthropology from 1987–1991. Ken’s eclectic interests also led to his participation in diverse professional societies including the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, where he held a position on the Executive Committee from 1976–1981, the Human Biology Council, the American Society of Naturalists, and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Ken authored more than 60 original articles, book reviews, and commentaries, as well as numerous technical autopsy reports and two major volumes. Fundamentals of Biological Anthropology, published in 1979, was a leading textbook in the discipline for many years. It was widely considered to be one of the most sophisticated introductory volumes on the evolution and biology of Homo sapiens, in part because Ken’s approach to biological anthropology was to treat it as a rigorous natural science while also making it accessible and interesting to beginning students. At the other extreme, his reference manual, A Field Guide for Human Skeletal Identification, first published in 1987 with a second edition in 1993, was explicitly intended as a practical resource for professional forensic anthropologists with extensive diagnostic expertise.
*Correspondence to: [email protected] † Reproduced and modified from Memorial Resolution of the Faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, http://www.secfac.wisc. edu/senate/2014/0505/2489mr.pdf
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22583 Published online 24 July 2014 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
OBITUARY: KENNETH ALAN BENNETT As a forensic anthropology consultant to law enforcement agencies, Ken was instrumental in helping to solve some major criminal cases in Wisconsin. In making his scientific expertise available, Ken demonstrated the contributions to society that exceptional faculty at a worldclass university can play. The same unwavering integrity that made Ken such an invaluable resource to forensic investigations also characterized his interactions with students and colleagues. He was known for maintaining high standards and for being fair, and for his willingness to speak up on behalf of both people and causes when they needed him. He was a trusted confidant to many students and colleagues alike. Ken had a far-ranging intellectual curiosity that led him to read deeply across a wide range of subjects, especially in the sciences, economics, and politics. His quest
317
for knowledge of all kinds persisted throughout his retirement. He loved riding his motorcycle, and took justifiable pride in the chili peppers and tomatoes he grew in his backyard garden. Gardening was a hobby that Ken shared with his lifelong partner and beloved wife, Helen, who he married in 1959. Ken is survived by Helen, their two daughters, Letitia and Cheri, and their two grandchildren, Krista and Jack. He is also survived by his sister, Judy, as well as by other relatives and friends. Ken was a private man who genuinely cared about his students, along with his family and friends. He also cared about the University of Wisconsin, the future of Biological Anthropology, and the importance of using one’s knowledge to make a difference in the world. We were fortunate to have had him as a colleague.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
