Dr Rupert Bennett, a highly qualified Old Boy, died in tragic circumstances recently whilst on, for him a normal climbing expedition in Scotland . Tony Hazeldine, a long-time friend and relation of Dr Rupert, has sent in the following tribute. Please remember Dr Rupert in your prayers.
‘Rupert Bennett, a pupil at Laleham Lea and the John Fisher School from 1973 – 1983 has been tragically killed whilst climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland . He was with two friends who were all members of the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance team and were experienced climbers.
Rupert had climbed with Sir Chris Bonnington in the Himalayas joining the team as medical officer and they remained good friends.
He was a clever young man who enjoyed his schooldays; he loved rugby and played the clarinet in the school orchestra. He made many lasting friendships at John Fisher.
After school he joined his brother Nicholas at University College Hospital where he studied medicine; he had a special interest in genetics. On gaining his medical degree he decided to become a GP which totally suited his character and love of people. His passion for the mountains drew him to Cumbria where he became junior partner in a practice in Caldbeck in the Northern fells.
He became interested in altitude medicine and was invited to lecture on this on many occasions; his style was informative and amusing and his lectures became very popular amongst the climbing and medical fraternity, so much so that the Rupert Bennet Memorial Lectures will now take place annually.
He was a member of the Patterdale and Penrith Mountain Rescue Teams for which he was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. As he enjoyed emergency medicine he worked for the Air Ambulance team and the new helicopter due this year is to be dedicated to him.
His medical colleagues in North Cumbria are awarding an annual prize in his memory to “the person who is prepared to go that extra mile” for that is what they thought of Rupert.
The icing on Rupert’s cake was when his parents retired to Cumbria at Christmas to be nearer to him and his lovely wife Sally, in the beautiful Lake District . He telephoned Nicholas just before his tragic death to say that he had achieved true happiness.
A light that burns twice as brightly burns half as long.