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TOP STORY OF THE DAY: EPITOME OF A COMMUNITY SERVANT
“Bubba” had the heart of a servant, loved his community, and was described as “one of a kind” by those who knew him.
Robert Joe “Bubba” Bennett, 60, of Brazil, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on November 9. Many local first rest responders took to social media to pay their respects, heartfelt gratitude, and sorrow for their brother who recently passed away.
Joe Bennett, who had never met a stranger, knew he wanted to serve the community when he was a teenager. After graduation, he started that journey by joining the Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department until joining the Brazil City Fire Department.
“Bubba was a big man and had a big heart to match his stature,” said Posey Township Volunteer Fire Chief Cody Barnard. “When I first entered the fire service, Bubba was the Chief of Brazil. And when I first met him, he instantly made me feel like “one of the boys. He had a passion like no one else, which is often missing in the fire service today—my deepest condolences to his wife and the entire Bennett family. Fly High, my brother, until we meet again. May you rest in peace.”
Clay County 911 Director Melissa Gambill said Bubba was like a member of her family over the years.
“I could talk to him for hours. He always made me laugh. He was more than a friend, coworker; he was like family,” said Gambill. “(Bubba) had a laugh and a heart bigger than life. He had compassion. He loved helping people when their worlds were turned upside down. Whether we were working the console together or he was out in the field, you knew you were in good hands.”
Gambill said Bubba gave her son Hunter his first ride in a fire truck and one of his fire helmets when he dreamed of becoming a firefighter.
He also took Carli and Hunter’s senior pictures, a hobby Bubba enjoyed.
“I’m heartbroken just like so many others,” said Gambill. “He was one of a kind! There will never be another one like him.”
Brazil Mayor Brian Wyndham said he definitely remembers Joe Bennett and believes we should pay homage to wonderful people like him when they are alive and not wait till their death: “He was truly a good man, a servant to the community.”
NOTE: The Brazil Times family is thankful to “Bubba” for his love of photography and community was the basis of many pictures of local events that appeared in the newspaper and on our website for years. Our condolences to the Bennett family.
See Robert Joe “Bubba” Bennett’s obituary on Page A3.