Keith Starr Bennett

Long time Conoco Landman and Denver resident Keith Starr Bennett passed away surrounded by family on November 27, 2014 in San Diego, California. He was 90 years old.

Keith was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma on August 26, 1924 to Ollie B. and Nelsie J. Bennett. He had one brother, Owen who preceded him in death in 1990. Keith grew up and attended Tonkawa schools where he was active in the drama and glee clubs. He attended NE Oklahoma Junior College and then was called away by World War II. He served in the US Army as a 1st Lieutenant, Infantry and served in the Philippine Islands. He returned to Oklahoma after the war and attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a degree in business in 1949. He was a member of Acacia fraternity and a PROUD Sooner.

He joined Continental Oil Company after graduation as a scout and landman, proudly working for Conoco for 36 years retiring in 1985 as the Senior Exploration Landman. Keith was voted Landman of the Year in 1959. He worked primarily in the Rocky Mountain Region, and opened the exploration office in Billings, Montana in 1960, returning to Denver in 1962. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Professional Landman certification program at the University of Oklahoma and was a member of the AAPL and the DAPL in Denver.

In 1950 he married Patsy June Raborn in Houston. They were married for 30 years until her death in 1981. After Patsy June’s death, Keith married Bozena “Bo” Crabb on Christmas Eve, 1982. They were married until her death in 2006. In his last years his special companion was Teri C. Thompson of Ocean Beach, CA.

Keith was an avid fisherman and sportsman. He loved to travel, and traveled all over the world with Ports of Call. He especially loved the adventure of the “Mystery Trips.”

Keith influenced many young men as a Scoutmaster of Troop 258 in Denver. Keith was a founding member of Grace United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his children from his first marriage Jeffrey Bennett (Lesa) of Casper, Wyoming; Susan Bennett of San Diego; Mark Bennett of Denver; and the children from his second marriage Cynthia Eaton (Dan) of Spokane, Washington; Debbie Ray (Richard) of Toledo, Ohio; Sharon Acker (Kevin) of Lakewood, Colorado; and Bruce Crabb of Denver. Keith was also EXCEPTIONALLY proud of his 9 grandchildren and 2 great grand children.