Bethel has lost its second well-known historian this year, with the unexpected death of Randy Bennett on Aug. 21. He was 73 years old.

Bennett was executive director of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society for nine years, and worked there for a total of 34.

Earlier this year his predecessor, Stan Howe, died.

Bennett, a Rumford native, had been associated with the historical society since 1974, when he graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a degree in secondary education. While student teaching at Telstar High School, he connected with the fledgling Bethel Historical Society as its Moses Mason House on Broad Street was being restored.

The society’s first curator, Howe, was hired a short time later.

Over the next few years, Bennett worked on various projects that had received grant funding, including newspaper indexes and surveys of Oxford County architecture. He also edited a book, “Sunday River Sketches,” by Martha Fifield Wilkins.

In the mid-1970s, the TV mini-series “Roots” drew greater interest to genealogy, and Bennett found himself in the middle of the surge. He was an integral part of organizing the society’s participation.

In 1985, Bennett formally joined the staff of the society as its curator of collections. The collections and records continued to grow, and Bennett helped make them available on microfilm in addition to print form.

He became executive director in 2010, after Howe’s retirement.

The society also grew physically during the time under Howe and Bennett. In 1998 the Robinson House, next door to the Moses Mason House, was purchased from the Bethel Inn. Later an old ell on the house was rebuilt as the Mary Valentine Collections Wing and a new barn, the Huntoon Center, was built on the site of an original barn.

During Bennett’s time, he wrote and/or edited a total of 12 books, with topics that include histories of Bethel, Rumford, the White Mountains and Gorham, New Hampshire, plus the historic architecture of Oxford County.

He also oversaw the creation and display of many historical exhibits at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, including ones on barns, the railroad, the Androscoggin River and Molly Ockett.

In 1987, he was honored by the American Association for State and Local History for his contributions to the field, according to information provided by the Bethel Historical Society. A frequent reviewer of books for Maine History, the quarterly of the Maine Historical Society, he taught several of the society’s regional history courses, including two series on White Mountain history. He was consulted by genealogists, journalists, architectural historians, and scholars for his detailed knowledge of the region.

REMEMBERING RANDY

As word of Bennett’s death spread on Aug. 21, dozens of people who had known him, as well as some who hadn’t, took to social media to pay tribute.

Amy Chapman worked with him at Bethel Historical Society. “I learned so much from Randy over the years,” she said. “I will sorely miss his quick wit, his encyclopedic knowledge of local history and genealogy, and his kindness.”

Lin Chapman of Gilead wrote, “Cousin Randy was my cousin through both the Heaths and Bennetts. In years past he spent a lot of time doing genealogy with my mother, Millie McLain, and Cousin Emeline Heath. Visiting with Randy was always a great experience. So much knowledge. I can’t even begin to express how much he will be missed. Randy, as you said in your email last week, ‘When I am gone it will be the end of an era!’ I wish I had known. Both my husband, Hugh, and I will miss your friendship.”  

Many other people spoke of his generosity, friendship and contributions to the community.

Upon his retirement in 2019, Bennett shared his own sentiment about the society and its family in an interview with the Bethel Citizen: “I’ve met thousands of wonderful people, and have enjoyed working with some of the most incredibly talented volunteers and staff members.”

Alison Aloisio is a freelance writer.