Visitation for Mr. Richard "Dick" Bennett of Elmhurst will be Tuesday, March 29, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. U.S. Air Force Military Honors will be at 7:30 p.m. and a Service of Remembrance at 8:00 p.m. at Northlake Funeral Home.

A business owner and inventor, he created Weldcoa to support his gas and welding distributorship, Benster Welding in 1968. Today, Weldcoa is considered a global leader in patented automated systems, supporting the cylinder gas industry. Originally based in Northlake, the company was later relocated to Aurora. Among his inventions, the Weldcoa Pallet system, the Welding Boom and others helped revolutionize the industry. As a golf enthusiast, he formulated a golf putter, the classic LowPro and a robotic golf cart.

Upon retirement, he married Irene and moved to Florida where they enjoyed their life together. His wife, Irene passed away November 28, 2021.

Mr. Bennett is survived by children: Lynda, Christine and Robert (Dawn); grandchildren, James, Forrest, Jeremiah, Summer, Sarah, Gracie, Nina (Andy), Jacob (Ashley) and great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Asher, Cameron, Hunter, Brantley, Merrily and Liam; brother, George (late Joan) and nephews, Jim, Tom, Jeff and John.