Douglas J. Bennet Jr., the father of Colorado’s U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and a former diplomat and college president, died Sunday.
He was 79 years old. No cause was provided.
My brother James, sister Holly, and I regret to announce that our father, Douglas J. Bennet, Jr., died peacefully yesterday. Here is a statement from us:
— Michael Bennet (@SenatorBennet)
“Our father was fortunate to live a life of service,” Michael Bennet, a Democrat, said in a statement Monday. “He led public, nonprofit and academic institutions that sought to improve our world through the work of thousands of committed people.”
Colorado’s other U.S. senator, Republican Cory Gardner, said “Douglas Bennet spent his life in public service to make the world a better place” and offered his family’s prayers.
Douglas Bennet served as Wesleyan University’s president from 1995 to 2007 after a stint as special assistant to U.S. Ambassador to India Chester Bowles and spending 10 years as chief executive office and president of National Public Radio.
“Doug’s presidency was the culmination of a truly distinguished career,” Wesleyan’s current president, Michael Roth,
Douglas Bennet was also the father of James Bennet, .
Michael Bennet said his family would release information about a memorial in the coming days.