Irving Bennett, O.D., publisher and editor of Optometric Management during its formative years, passed away on Sept. 7 at the age of 97.
After graduating from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, now Salus University, in 1944, Dr. Bennett served as an optometrist in the Army Air Forces Medical Corps, eventually moving to Beaver Falls, Pa., to open his optometric practice in 1946, continuing for 45 years.
Dr. Bennett became involved in local politics early in his life, winning a seat on the Beaver Falls School Board in 1948. He served on the board for 17 years, mostly as president. During that time, he recruited the district’s first African American teacher. In the mid-1950s, as president of the Beaver Falls Recreation Commission, he oversaw the commission’s purchase of the previously privately owned, “whites only” Morado Pool and aided in its integration.
He was president of the United Jewish Community for several years, for which he oversaw the fundraising for and construction of the Jewish Community Center.
As founder and president of Advisory Enterprises, Dr. Bennett was publisher of Optometric Management (1965 to 1981) and Ophthalmology Management, among others.
He also founded Optifair, an annual expo of product introductions and CE that served as a forerunner to Vision Expo.
Additionally, the industry veteran was heavily involved in optometric leadership, and received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his life, including the Pennsylvania College of Optometry Alumnus of the Year in 1961, the American Optometric Association (AOA) Optometrist of the Year in 1972, the AOA Distinguished Service Award in 1997 and induction into the National Optometric Hall of Fame in 2004.
In OM’s 50th anniversary issue in 2015, Dr. Bennett was named to the publication’s “Most Influential in Optometry” list.
Through his generous support, Dr. Bennett’s alma mater established the Irving Bennett Business and Practice Management Center (now Bennett Career Services Center), a tribute to his commitment to promoting business acumen in optometric students.
Upon retirement in Sarasota, Fla., Dr. Bennett remained active and influential, serving on many organized optometric and local committees. He also penned the “Be Well” health newsletter, which provided health advice for the Glenridge retirement community.
Dr. Bennett was the first optometrist of his family and ultimately led an optometric family dynasty. Specifically, he is survived by his wife Trude, his two children, Linda Bennett, O.D. (the inspiration behind a series of articles that ran in Optometric Management that Dr. Bennett penned on practice management titled, “Dear Linda”), and Donald Bennett, O.D., M.D., four grandchildren, Courtnee Bennett, Rebecca Bennett Maida, O.D., Joslyn Overby and Beth Huey and five great-grandchildren.
For more on Dr. Bennett’s pioneering contributions, Dr. Donald Bennett pays tribute to his father at bit.ly/3hJEYBs . OM
![]({"src":"/media/dsrhrylz/cover_om_1020.jpg","focalPoint":null,"crops":[{"alias":"thumbnail","width":1110,"height":700,"coordinates":null}]})